Doctors have raised concerns over a “really worrying” unidentified illness in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) that has k!lled more than 50 people within hours of symptoms appearing. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that over 400 cases have been recorded since the outbreak began on January 21, with 53 de@ths as of mid-February, resulting in a fatality rate of approximately 12.49%.
The illness, which remains unidentified, causes symptoms that rapidly escalate, leading to de@th within just two days in some cases. Serge Ngalebato, medical director of Bikoro Hospital, described the short interval between symptom onset and de@th as “really worrying.”
The WHO suspects the outbreak may be linked to a virus that has jumped from animals to humans. Initial reports suggest the first cases occurred in the town of Boloko after three children consumed a bat and d!ed within 48 hours, exhibiting symptoms of haemorrhagic fever. A second outbreak was reported in the town of Bomate on February 9.
Samples from 13 cases have been sent to the National Institute for Biomedical Research in Kinshasa for testing. While all samples tested negative for Ebola and other haemorrhagic fever diseases like Marburg, some tested positive for malaria.
The WHO and local health authorities are working to identify the cause of the illness and contain its spread, as the high fatality rate and rapid progression of symptoms have raised significant alarm. Further investigations are ongoing to determine the source and nature of the disease.
