A mysterious illness linked to eating a bat has killed more than 50 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over the past five weeks, according to health workers. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported 431 cases and 53 deaths across two outbreaks in remote villages in Équateur province.
The exact cause remains unknown, but the WHO is investigating several potential causes, including malaria, food poisoning, typhoid, meningitis, and other viral haemorrhagic fevers. Samples from affected individuals have tested negative for Ebola and Marburg.
The larger outbreak in Bomate village has killed 45 people out of 419 cases, with an average time between symptom onset and death of 48 hours. The smaller outbreak in Boloko village involved eight deaths among 12 cases. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, and internal bleeding.
Health teams are working to understand the source of the illness, which was first identified after three children under five years old fell ill after eating a bat. The WHO is urging caution, noting that similar outbreaks in the past were ultimately linked to different causes.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/25/unknown-illness-kills-in-north-west-drc