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Health Officials in DRC Race to Identify Cause as Fatalities Rise, WHO Investigates Possible Zoonotic Link
A new and unidentified illness has been rapidly spreading in the northwestern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), raising concerns among health officials. Since January 21, authorities have recorded 419 cases and 53 deaths, with the disease proving especially alarming due to its rapid progression—many patients succumb within 48 hours of the first symptoms.
Growing Public Health Concern
The World Health Organization (WHO) has acknowledged the severity of the outbreak, emphasizing that the rapid rise in cases within just days presents a serious public health threat. WHO spokesman Tarik Jašarević stated that the exact cause of the illness remains unknown. He noted that affected villages lack proper health infrastructure and disease surveillance, making it challenging to contain and study the outbreak.
“We are investigating whether the cause is an infection or some kind of toxic agent. Determining the nature of the disease is crucial before WHO can provide targeted support,” Jašarević said.
The illness currently carries a fatality rate of 12.3 percent, according to the WHO.
Symptoms and Spread
The outbreak was initially traced back to Boloko village in the Équateur province, where three children under the age of five died within two days of consuming a bat carcass. Patients infected with the unknown disease have presented with severe symptoms, including excessive nosebleeds, vomiting blood, fever, chills, headaches, body aches, excessive sweating, neck stiffness, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.
A second outbreak was reported on February 9 in Bomate village, also located in Équateur province. However, no direct links between the two clusters have been established. Laboratory tests have ruled out known hemorrhagic fevers such as Ebola and Marburg, further deepening the mystery surrounding the disease.
Dr. Krutika Kuppalli, an infectious disease expert at the University of Texas, emphasized the importance of caution in assessing the situation. “Recent reports linking this illness to an Ebola alert have been disproven. Just months ago, a suspected outbreak in the DRC was believed to be ‘Disease X’ but was later confirmed as severe malaria in malnourished individuals,” she noted. She stressed the need for accurate and up-to-date information as the situation evolves.
Identifying the Illness
Michael Head, a senior global health research fellow at the University of Southampton in the UK, stated that the emergence of a genuinely new illness—such as was seen with COVID-19—is rare but possible. However, he noted that in most cases, outbreaks involve known pathogens that have yet to be identified in a particular setting.
He also pointed out the concerning factors in this outbreak, given the high number of cases, significant fatalities, and the presence of hemorrhagic fever-like symptoms.
Serge Ngalebato, the medical director of Bikoro Hospital in Kinshasa, highlighted that the most alarming aspect of the disease is the short interval between the onset of symptoms and death—often within 48 hours.
Recent Health Crises in the DRC
In December 2023, the DRC faced an outbreak in the southwest region that was later attributed to acute respiratory infections complicated by malaria. In addition, the country is currently battling a widespread outbreak of Mpox, a virus that causes painful blisters and can be fatal in some cases.
The African continent has faced significant challenges in controlling Mpox following global outbreaks in 2022 and 2023, with the DRC remaining one of the hardest-hit countries.
Dr. Kuppalli pointed out that the DRC’s health system is strained by multiple factors, including limited medical infrastructure, ongoing humanitarian crises, and the remoteness of affected areas, which make timely intervention difficult. She stressed that a coordinated global effort is necessary to address these challenges effectively.
Possible Zoonotic Link
Reports indicate a growing concern over diseases jumping from animals to humans, particularly in regions where wild animal consumption is common. WHO data from 2022 revealed that the number of zoonotic disease outbreaks in Africa has surged by over 60 percent in the past decade.
While no direct link between animal consumption and this mysterious illness has been confirmed, Dr. Kuppalli emphasized the importance of ongoing investigations. “Zoonotic diseases have historically been a major cause of outbreaks worldwide. Although we cannot yet confirm a connection between this disease and animal consumption, further studies are needed to understand its source and transmission,” she stated.
Additional Challenges in the Region
Beyond health crises, the DRC is also grappling with severe political instability. The eastern part of the country remains engulfed in violent conflict, with over 7,000 deaths reported due to ongoing clashes with armed groups.
As the situation unfolds, experts urge caution, thorough investigation, and international support to manage the outbreak effectively and prevent further loss of life.