Mystery Illness in Congo Kills Over 50 People Within Hours
Written by Site Hub on February 25, 2025
A mysterious illness in northwestern Congo has claimed more than 50 lives within hours of symptoms appearing, according to health officials. The outbreak, which began on January 21, has resulted in 419 cases and 53 deaths.
The illness first appeared in three children who ate a bat, leading to concerns about animal-to-human transmission.
Symptoms include fever, vomiting, and internal bleeding, resembling hemorrhagic fevers like Ebola or Marburg, but tests have ruled those out.
The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that all tested samples were negative for common hemorrhagic fevers, though some tested positive for malaria.
The disease spreads rapidly, with most deaths occurring within 48 hours of symptom onset.
This outbreak follows a rising trend of zoonotic diseases (illnesses that jump from animals to humans), which have increased by over 60% in Africa in the past decade, according to the WHO.
Health experts are continuing their investigations to identify the cause and potential containment strategies for the deadly illness.
Source: AP News
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