Deadly Mystery Illness Grips Congo, Baffling Health Officials

A rapidly spreading and deadly illness, first identified after three children consumed a bat, has claimed over 50 lives in northwestern Congo in just five weeks, sending shockwaves through the region and baffling health experts, The Associated Press reports.

The outbreak, which began on January 21, has seen 419 reported cases and 53 deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The initial cluster of cases originated in the village of Boloko after three children perished within 48 hours of eating a bat.

These symptoms are characteristic of hemorrhagic fevers, leading to initial fears that the outbreak could be linked to known deadly viruses such as Ebola, dengue, Marburg, or yellow fever. However, preliminary testing of over a dozen samples collected from patients has ruled out these common culprits.

Following a second outbreak in the village of Bomate on February 9, further samples were sent to the National Institute for Biomedical Research in Kinshasa, Congo’s capital. The WHO reported that while some samples tested positive for malaria, all were negative for common hemorrhagic fever diseases.

The incident highlights the growing concern over diseases jumping from animals to humans, particularly in regions where the consumption of wild animals is prevalent. The WHO has noted a worrying surge in such outbreaks in Africa, increasing by over 60% in the last decade.

While the specific cause of this latest outbreak remains a mystery, the urgency to identify and contain the illness is paramount.