Mysterious illness claims lives in Congo

|Published 9:40 AM ET, Wednesday February 26, 2025|

A concerning health crisis has emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where a mysterious illness has claimed over 50 lives and affected hundreds more since January 21, 2025. The outbreak began in the village of Boloko, located in the Bolomba health zone of northwestern Équateur province, after three children consumed a bat carcass. These initial cases resulted in fatalities within 48 hours, presenting symptoms such as fever, vomiting, and internal bleeding.

As of February 24, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports a total of 419 cases and 53 deaths, indicating a fatality rate of approximately 12.3%. The rapid progression from symptom onset to death, often within 48 hours, is particularly alarming. Laboratory tests have ruled out common hemorrhagic fevers like Ebola and Marburg; however, some samples have tested positive for malaria. This overlap complicates the diagnostic process, as malaria is endemic in the region and can present with similar symptoms.

The remote location of the affected areas, combined with limited healthcare infrastructure, poses significant challenges to containment and treatment efforts. The WHO emphasizes the necessity for immediate, high-level intervention to prevent further spread. This outbreak follows a previous health crisis in December 2024, where a flu-like illness, later identified as severe malaria, resulted in 143 deaths in the Kwango province.

The DRC continues to face multiple public health challenges, including ongoing outbreaks of mpox and measles. The recurrence of such mysterious illnesses underscores the critical need for enhanced disease surveillance, improved healthcare access, and robust public health infrastructure to effectively manage and mitigate future outbreaks.