The World Health Organization (WHO) is investigating a new cluster of unidentified illnesses in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), following two previous unexplained outbreaks earlier this year.
Authorities reported that in January, 12 people fell ill in the Bolomba zone of Equateur province, with eight fatalities. In early February, the Basankusu zone recorded 158 cases and 58 deaths. More recently, 141 additional cases were identified in Basankusu, though no new deaths have been reported.
Symptoms and Investigation
The affected individuals displayed symptoms such as fever, headaches, chills, sweating, muscle and joint pain, stiff neck, coughing, vomiting, and diarrhea. So far, disease surveillance efforts have tracked 1,096 suspected cases and 60 deaths across both affected regions.
A national rapid response team, including WHO health emergency experts, has been deployed to investigate potential causes and patterns of infection. They are conducting interviews, testing for various diseases, and assessing environmental factors.
Not Ebola or Marburg, Malaria Cases Found
Initial laboratory tests have ruled out Ebola and Marburg viruses. However, around half of the samples tested positive for malaria, and further investigations are underway to check for meningitis and other possible causes. Officials are also analyzing food, water, and environmental samples for contamination.
Health specialists suggest that while a single disease may be responsible, it is also possible that a mix of common illnesses, including malaria and respiratory infections, is contributing to the case numbers, particularly in areas affected by malnutrition.
The DRC, one of the world’s poorest nations, is already struggling with multiple health crises, making disease outbreaks a significant concern both locally and globally.