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A deadly and unidentified illness has emerged in Congo’s northwestern Equateur province, killing dozens and leaving many others seriously ill, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Tuesday.
WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic described the outbreak as alarming, with cases surging rapidly over just a few days, posing a severe public health threat.
No Clear Cause Identified
Despite extensive testing, the disease has not been linked to the Ebola or Marburg viruses, leaving health experts puzzled. The outbreak, which began on January 21, has so far resulted in 419 reported cases and 53 deaths across two remote villages more than 120 miles apart, raising concerns about whether the cases are connected.
The mode of transmission remains uncertain, particularly regarding the potential for human-to-human spread.
Bats as a Possible Source?
In one of the affected villages, the first known victims were children who had eaten a bat. They fell ill and died within 48 hours, according to WHO’s Africa office. While this suggests a possible zoonotic origin, further investigation is needed to confirm the cause of the outbreak.
Challenges in Containing the Outbreak
Jasarevic highlighted the urgent need for international support, as Congo’s remote areas suffer from poor laboratory facilities, limited disease surveillance, and difficult infrastructure.
To effectively respond, he stressed the importance of assisting local health authorities in transporting samples to well-equipped laboratories for further analysis.
With no confirmed diagnosis and the outbreak continuing to spread, health officials are racing against time to prevent further fatalities and identify the mysterious disease.
