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WHO on Alert as Mystery Illness Kills Dozens in DRC

Reporter 21
26 Feb, 2025

A mysterious and deadly illness has struck the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), killing more than 50 people in the past five weeks and leaving health officials scrambling to identify the cause. The outbreak, which was first detected in three children who consumed a bat, has since resulted in at least 431 reported cases, with 53 fatalities as of February 16, 2025, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The rapid spread of the illness and its high mortality rate have raised concerns about a potential public health emergency.

The Outbreak: A Sudden and Deadly Surge

The initial cases emerged in January 2025 in Boloko village, located in the Bolomba health zone of Équateur province. According to local health officials, three children under five years old exhibited symptoms including fever, fatigue, and severe hemorrhagic manifestations such as nosebleeds and vomiting blood. Tragically, all three children succumbed to the illness within 48 hours.

Investigations revealed that the children had ingested a dead bat prior to falling ill, leading to speculation that the disease could have a zoonotic origin—meaning it may have been transmitted from animals to humans. Similar cases soon followed, and by January 21, the WHO had reported eight deaths among 12 confirmed cases in the same region.

The situation escalated dramatically by February 13, when a much larger cluster of cases emerged in Bomate village in the Basankusu health zone. This second outbreak saw 419 cases and 45 deaths, with patients experiencing symptoms such as fever, vomiting, and internal bleeding. The rapid progression of the illness—from symptom onset to death within 48 hours—has been described by medical experts as particularly alarming.

Testing and Challenges in Identifying the Cause

Health authorities have conducted tests on samples from 13 patients, all of which returned negative results for Ebola and Marburg viruses—two of the most well-known causes of hemorrhagic fever in Africa. This has led experts to investigate other possible sources, including malaria, food poisoning, typhoid, meningitis, or other viral hemorrhagic fevers.

However, the remoteness of the affected villages and the lack of adequate healthcare infrastructure have made it difficult to conduct thorough diagnostic investigations. “The outbreaks, which have seen cases rise rapidly within days, pose a significant public health threat. The exact cause remains unknown,” said WHO spokesperson Tarik Jašarević in a recent briefing.

A Pattern of Unexplained Outbreaks in the DRC

This is not the first time the DRC has been affected by a deadly and unidentified illness. In December 2024, a similar outbreak in Kwango Province resulted in 406 cases and 31 deaths. Initial reports suggested the disease could be a new viral pathogen, but further investigations linked the deaths to a combination of severe malnutrition, acute respiratory infections, and malaria.

Over the past decade, Africa has seen a marked increase in zoonotic diseases—those transmitted from animals to humans—largely due to increased human-wildlife interaction. The WHO has reported a more than 60% rise in such cases, many of which are associated with bushmeat consumption, deforestation, and climate change, which have disrupted natural ecosystems.

Public Health Response and Urgent Measures

Given the high fatality rate and the unknown nature of the disease, the WHO and other health agencies are urging swift action. Efforts are underway to improve surveillance, provide medical supplies, and support local health workers in treating affected patients. However, experts emphasize that more comprehensive laboratory investigations are needed to identify the cause and develop appropriate treatments.

The WHO has also deployed epidemiologists to the region to track the spread of the disease, identify possible sources of infection, and contain further outbreaks. Some health officials have raised concerns about the potential for the illness to spread beyond the current affected areas, given the lack of containment measures in some remote villages.

The Role of Wildlife and Zoonotic Diseases

The fact that the first known cases were linked to children consuming a bat has led to increased scrutiny on zoonotic diseases in the region. In the past, bats have been linked to the transmission of deadly viruses, including Ebola, Marburg, and even coronaviruses. Scientists are now working to determine whether the outbreak is the result of a novel virus or an existing pathogen that has mutated into a more virulent form.

“Zoonotic spillover events are becoming increasingly common due to environmental changes, deforestation, and increased human-wildlife interactions,” said Dr. Jean-Claude Mputu, an infectious disease expert based in Kinshasa. “We need to strengthen public health awareness about the risks of consuming bushmeat and ensure that people understand how to prevent future outbreaks.”

The Global Health Implications

The outbreak in the DRC highlights the vulnerabilities in global health security, particularly in regions with limited healthcare resources. It serves as a stark reminder of the need for stronger disease surveillance systems and early detection mechanisms to prevent localized outbreaks from becoming global health crises.

In recent years, the world has seen how rapidly infectious diseases can spread across borders. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of global cooperation in monitoring, responding to, and containing emerging diseases. The mysterious illness in the DRC is a critical test of how effectively the international health community can respond to an emerging threat before it escalates into a pandemic.

What Needs to Be Done?

Rapid Diagnosis and Research: More samples need to be tested to identify the pathogen responsible for the outbreak. International laboratories should collaborate with local health officials to expedite the process.
Strengthening Healthcare Infrastructure: Remote areas in the DRC lack adequate medical facilities, making it difficult to contain outbreaks. Investments in healthcare infrastructure, mobile clinics, and medical training are crucial.
Community Education and Awareness: Public health campaigns should educate communities about the dangers of consuming bushmeat and the importance of hygiene and disease prevention.
International Support and Collaboration: The WHO, NGOs, and governments must work together to provide funding, medical supplies, and expertise to control the outbreak.
Stronger Zoonotic Disease Monitoring: Given the rise in animal-to-human disease transmission, global health organizations must prioritize research and policies aimed at mitigating zoonotic risks.

Looking Ahead

As health officials continue to investigate the outbreak, there remains an urgent need for international cooperation to address the crisis. Every emerging disease presents a learning opportunity, and the lessons from this outbreak could help prevent future pandemics. The situation in the DRC is still developing, and timely interventions will determine whether this remains a localized crisis or evolves into a wider public health emergency.

For now, the world watches closely as scientists, doctors, and health workers race against time to uncover the truth behind this deadly mystery. With the right resources, expertise, and international support, there is hope that this outbreak can be contained before it claims more lives.