Unknown Illness Kills Over 50 People in Part of Congo with Hours between Symptoms and Death
The Outbreak
The latest disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo began on January 21, with 419 cases recorded and 53 deaths. The outbreak began in the village of Boloko after three children ate a bat and died within 48 hours, the Africa office of the World Health Organization (WHO) said.
Rapid Onset of Symptoms and Death
The interval between the onset of symptoms, which include fever, vomiting, and internal bleeding, and death has been 48 hours in most cases, said Serge Ngalebato, medical director of Bikoro Hospital, a regional monitoring center. “That’s what’s really worrying,” he said.
Tests Ruling out Known Viruses
Researchers have ruled out known deadly viruses such as Ebola, dengue, Marburg, and yellow fever based on tests of more than a dozen samples collected so far. The samples were sent to the National Institute for Biomedical Research in Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, for testing, the WHO said. While some samples tested positive for malaria, all samples were negative for common hemorrhagic fever diseases.
Africa’s Growing Concerns
There have long been concerns about diseases jumping from animals to humans in places where wild animals are popularly eaten. The number of such outbreaks in Africa has surged by more than 60% in the last decade, the WHO said in 2022.
Challenges in Containing the Outbreak
The rapid onset of symptoms and death, combined with the unknown nature of the disease, poses significant challenges in containing the outbreak. “It’s a very difficult situation, and we’re doing our best to try to understand what’s happening,” said Ngalebato.
Conclusion
The rapid spread of this unknown illness in the Democratic Republic of Congo highlights the urgent need for increased surveillance and preparedness for zoonotic diseases, which jump from animals to humans. The international community must come together to support the Congolese government in its efforts to contain the outbreak and identify the cause of this deadly disease.
FAQs
Q: How many people have been affected by the outbreak?
A: Over 50 people have been killed, and 419 cases have been reported.
Q: What are the symptoms of the disease?
A: Fever, vomiting, and internal bleeding.
Q: What is the interval between the onset of symptoms and death?
A: 48 hours in most cases.
Q: What viruses have been ruled out as the cause of the disease?
A: Ebola, dengue, Marburg, and yellow fever.
Q: What is the next step in containing the outbreak?
A: The international community will continue to support the Congolese government in its efforts to contain the outbreak and identify the cause of the disease.
