A mysterious illness in the Democratic Republic of Congo has led to 53 deaths, primarily affecting individuals within 48 hours of symptom onset. The World Health Organization reports at least 431 cases of symptoms resembling a severe febrile illness, with a 12.3% fatality rate. Investigators linked the outbreak to Boloko Village, where three young children died after consuming a bat carcass. Following subsequent deaths in nearby villages, health officials conducted testing that ruled out common hemorrhagic fevers like Ebola, necessitating further analysis to identify the causative pathogen.
“The outbreak is posing a significant public health threat,” the World Health Organization stated, highlighting the rapid onset of severe symptoms, including fever and bleeding.
WHO officials reported that the illness has a fatality rate of 12.3% and has affected more than 430 individuals since January.
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