Boloko, Democratic Republic of Congo (Feb. 27, 2025) – A rapidly spreading illness has killed at least 53 people in northwestern Congo within the past five weeks, with health officials raising concerns over its unidentified origin.

Outbreak and Symptoms

The outbreak, first detected on January 21 in the village of Boloko, was traced back to three children under five who reportedly ate a dead bat and died within 48 hours. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, extreme fatigue, and major internal bleeding. Patients have also reported neck and joint pain, sweating, shortness of breath, and intense thirst. In young children, persistent crying has been noted. Dr. Serge Ngalebato, medical director of Bikoro Hospital, emphasized the alarming nature of the disease, particularly due to the rapid progression from symptom onset to death in just two days.

Spread and Unclear Cause

A second outbreak began in the village of Bomate on February 9, bringing the total recorded cases to 419, with 53 fatalities. Health officials have ruled out common hemorrhagic fevers, such as Ebola, Marburg, dengue, and yellow fever, after testing samples at the National Institute for Biomedical Research in Kinshasa. Some cases, however, tested positive for malaria.

WHO’s Response and Growing Concerns

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that urgent action is required to accelerate laboratory investigations, enhance case management, and strengthen surveillance and risk communication. Experts fear the illness could be another case of zoonotic spillover, as diseases jumping from animals to humans have increased by more than 60% in the last decade, according to WHO data. Wild animal consumption remains a significant factor in such outbreaks across Africa. In a similar case last year, another mystery illness in Congo, initially feared to be a new virus, was later determined to be malaria. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the outbreak as concerns mount over its potential global implications.