‘Unknown Disease’ Kills 53 in Congo, WHO Warns of Public Health Threat
.jpeg)
‘Unknown Disease’ Kills 53 in Congo, WHO Warns of Public Health Threat February 25, 2025 – A mysterious illness has claimed the lives of 53 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with many deaths occurring within 48 hours of symptom onset, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The outbreak, which has infected at least 431 individuals since January, is centered in two villages in Équateur province and poses a “significant public health threat.” Symptoms and Fatality Rate The disease causes fever, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, headaches, and fatigue. With a fatality rate of 12.3%, the illness has raised alarm among health officials. The WHO is working to identify the cause of the outbreak, which is believed to have originated in a village where three children reportedly died after eating a bat carcass. Challenges in Containment The remote location of the affected villages and limited healthcare infrastructure have compli...