Mysterious Disease Claims Over 50 Lives In The Democratic Republic of Congo

Kinshasa, February 26 (TNA) A mysterious disease has surfaced in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), claiming more than 50 lives so far. The illness presents symptoms such as fever, vomiting, and internal bleeding, with death occurring within 48 hours in most cases—a concerning factor for health officials.

The symptoms resemble those of hemorrhagic fevers caused by viruses like Ebola, Dengue, Marburg, and Yellow Fever. However, researchers have ruled out these infections after testing more than a dozen samples. The outbreak was first recorded on January 21, with 419 reported cases and 53 fatalities.

Children Ate Bats in Boloko Village Before Dying

The World Health Organization (WHO) Africa office reported that three children in Boloko village died within 48 hours after consuming bats. Health experts have long warned about the risks of zoonotic diseases spreading from wildlife to humans, especially in areas where wild animals are consumed. In 2022, WHO highlighted that such outbreaks in Africa have increased by over 60% in the last decade.

What Is Behind This Mysterious Illness?

On February 9, after a second outbreak in Bometé village, 13 samples were sent for testing to the National Institute for Biomedical Research in Kinshasa. WHO confirmed that all samples tested negative for hemorrhagic fevers, though some returned positive for malaria. A similar flu-like illness that caused multiple deaths in another region of DRC last year was later identified as a possible severe form of malaria. Authorities and health experts continue to investigate the cause of this deadly outbreak.