Mystery Disease That Kills Within 48 Hours Of Symptoms Sweeps Through Congo, Over 53 Dead, Hundreds Infected

Mystery Disease That Kills Within 48 Hours Of Symptoms Sweeps Through Congo, Over 53 Dead, Hundreds Infected

Satata Karmakar

A mystery illness in northwestern Congo has killed over 50 people, with symptoms leading to death within 48 hours. WHO is investigating, as initial tests ruled out Ebola and Marburg, with some cases testing positive for malaria.

The interval between the onset of symptoms and death has been 48 hours in the majority of cases, and "that's what's really worrying," Serge Ngalebato, medical director of Bikoro Hospital, a regional monitoring centre, told the media.

According to the initial reports, the mystery disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo began on Jan. 21, and 419 cases have been recorded, including 53 deaths.

Mystery Disease That Kills Within 48 Hours Spreading In Congo

The first confirmed cases of the disease were reported after three children in Boloko consumed bat meat. Within 48 hours, all three children died after showing symptoms of hemorrhagic fever, a condition that causes severe internal bleeding and organ failure. The quick progression of the disease has left health experts baffled and alarmed.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Africa office confirmed the link between the consumption of bat meat and the onset of the disease, which has led to a surge in cases. There have long been concerns about diseases jumping from animals to humans, particularly in regions where wild animals, such as bats, are commonly consumed as food. The outbreak in Boloko follows a well-established pattern of zoonotic diseases that have been known to cause serious outbreaks in Central Africa.

"All samples have been negative for Ebola or other common hemorrhagic fever diseases like Marburg. Some tested positive for malaria," an expert was quoted as saying.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Africa office confirmed the link between the consumption of bat meat and the onset of the disease, which has led to a surge in cases. There have long been concerns about diseases jumping from animals to humans, particularly in regions where wild animals, such as bats, are commonly consumed as food. The outbreak in Boloko follows a well-established pattern of zoonotic diseases that have been known to cause serious outbreaks in Central Africa.

"All samples have been negative for Ebola or other common hemorrhagic fever diseases like Marburg. Some tested positive for malaria," an expert was quoted as saying.