Mystery Illness Kills Dozens in the Congo

An unknown illness has claimed the lives of over 50 people in northwestern Congo, according to reports from doctors and the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday. The disease, which emerged on January 21, has resulted in 419 cases, including 53 fatalities. Dr. Serge Ngalebato, medical director at Bikoro Hospital, expressed concern over the rapid progression of the illness, noting that the time between the onset of symptoms and death is typically just 48 hours.

This short timeframe has raised alarm among health officials.The outbreak is believed to have begun in the town of Boloko, where three children who consumed bat meat died within 48 hours after showing symptoms of hemorrhagic fever.

This incident highlights growing concerns about diseases transmitted from animals to humans, particularly in regions where wild animals are commonly consumed. The WHO reported a 60% increase in such outbreaks across Africa over the past decade.A second outbreak started on February 9 in the town of Bomate, prompting the testing of samples from 13 cases by the National Institute for Biomedical Research in Kinshasa. The results are still pending.