A mysterious illness has claimed over 50 lives in northwestern Congo, with symptoms appearing and death occurring within a mere 48 hours in most cases. The outbreak began on January 21, with 419 cases reported and 53 confirmed deaths.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the initial case was linked to three children who died after eating a bat in Boloko town. This is not an isolated incident, as concerns about zoonotic diseases (diseases transmitted from animals to humans) have been growing in Africa.
The WHO has tested samples from 13 cases and found none positive for Ebola or Marburg, but some have tested positive for malaria. A similar outbreak last year was later determined to be caused by malaria. The exact cause of this new illness remains unknown, leaving health experts worried about the rapid spread and severity of the disease.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/congo-mystery-unknown-illness-cd8b1fdcb3b2ed032968b2c6044dc6db