An unknown illness has killed 53 people in northwest Congo, says WHO. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, headaches, and fatigue. Many deaths happened within 48 hours of symptoms appearing.
The cause of the outbreak is still unknown. Health officials are investigating to find the source and stop the spread.
How Did the Mystery Outbreak Begin?
The mystery outbreak began in Beloco Village. Three young children fell ill after eating a bat carcass. They bled from their noses and vomited blood before dying. Their deaths occurred between January 10th and January 13th.
Four more children in Beloco died soon after. By January 27th, the village had seven deaths. Nearby Danda Village reported one death.
The first outbreak in Beloco caused eight deaths among 12 cases. Symptoms began with fever and fatigue, followed by nosebleeds and vomiting blood. The first three children to die were under five years old.
The disease has infected 431 people in Ecuador Province. The fatality rate is over 12%. A second outbreak in Bomay Village has infected over 400 people.
Beloco has reported 10 cases and 7 deaths. Danda has reported 2 cases and 1 death.
What Do Experts Know about the Mystery Illness?
Congo’s National Institute for Biomedical Research studied samples from 18 patients. Tests ruled out common hemorrhagic fevers like Ebola and Marburg. Further testing is needed to find the cause of illness.
In December, another unknown disease killed dozens in southwest Congo. Investigators later linked it to respiratory infections, malaria, and malnutrition. Health workers are now investigating malaria, food poisoning, and typhoid. They are also testing for meningitis and other viral hemorrhagic fevers.
Bats carry deadly viruses like Ebola and Marburg. Some researchers believe a bat virus caused COVID-19. WHO officials say the outbreaks in Beloco and Bomay Village may not be linked. The disease’s cause and exposure methods remain unclear.
Symptoms include fever, chills, headaches, body aches, and neck stiffness. Other symptoms include cough, vomiting, diarrhea, and black stool. Some patients have hemorrhagic symptoms like nosebleeds and vomiting blood. Certain test samples showed malaria, a common disease in the region.
What Conditions Contribute to the Disease’s Spread?
Congo’s weak healthcare system makes controlling the outbreak more difficult. Remote locations increase the risk of further spread.
Michael Head, a global health researcher, spoke to The Washington Post. He said outbreaks like this happen worldwide. New diseases emerge, but old diseases can also reappear.
The high caseload and hemorrhagic symptoms of this outbreak are concerning. Poor health infrastructure in Congo makes containment harder. Similar outbreaks have occurred before.
Eastern Congo faces a worsening political crisis. Fighting between government forces and Rwanda-backed rebels has killed 7,000 people. Medical centers in the region are overwhelmed. The outbreak is far from the eastern war zone.
Congo has seen more animal-to-human disease transmission in recent years. Urban expansion may increase the risk of future outbreaks.
Conclusion
Health officials are working to find the cause of the outbreak. Poor healthcare and remote locations make containment more difficult. Rising animal-to-human transmission could increase the risk of future outbreaks.
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Logan Hamilton is a health and wellness freelance writer for hire. He’s passionate about crafting crystal-clear, captivating, and credible content that elevates brands and establishes trust. When not writing, Logan can be found hiking, sticking his nose in bizarre books, or playing drums in a local rock band. Find him at loganjameshamilton.com.
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