A deadly unidentified illness in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has claimed over 50 lives, prompting health experts to urge global awareness, including in the UK.
The outbreak, which has been spreading in the country’s northwest for the past five weeks, has resulted in 419 reported cases and 53 deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Patients experience symptoms such as fever, vomiting, and internal bleeding, resembling hemorrhagic fevers like Ebola and Marburg. However, tests have ruled out these known viruses, leaving medical teams working to identify the cause. The outbreak reportedly began in the town of Boloko after three children consumed a bat and died within two days.
Health specialists caution that viruses can remain undetected in carriers before symptoms appear, increasing the risk of international spread. Dr. Zania Stamataki, a viral immunology expert from the University of Birmingham, emphasized that infections do not respect borders. She advised medical professionals in the UK and other countries to monitor potential symptoms and report cases to health authorities.
The WHO is assisting local health officials in investigating the outbreak and controlling its spread. The high number of deaths, particularly among children and young adults, may be worsened by underlying issues such as malnutrition and malaria, which weaken the immune system.
While experts have yet to confirm the cause, some believe the illness could be linked to a bat-borne virus. If true, this could pose a significant challenge, as humans may have no natural immunity to the pathogen.
This outbreak follows a similar event late last year in another part of the DRC, where an unknown illness killed dozens before being linked to malaria and malnutrition. Health officials are now working urgently to contain the current outbreak, emphasizing the need for isolation and travel restrictions in affected regions to prevent further spread.