In Mbandaka, Congo, an unidentified illness has claimed the lives of over 50 individuals within hours of showing symptoms, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). Since the disease outbreak began on January 21 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, there have been 419 cases and 53 deaths recorded.

Doctors at Bikoro Hospital have noted that the time between the onset of symptoms and death has been 48 hours in the majority of cases, causing significant concern. The outbreak in Boloko originated when three children consumed a bat, resulting in their deaths within 48 hours after exhibiting symptoms of hemorrhagic fever, stated the WHO’s Africa office.

With an increasing number of diseases transferring from animals to humans in regions where wild animals are commonly consumed, the WHO revealed that such outbreaks in Africa have risen by more than 60 percent over the past decade.

Following the start of the second outbreak of the unidentified illness in Bomate on February 9, samples from 13 cases were sent to the National Institute for Biomedical Research in Kinshasa, Congo’s capital, for testing. Although the samples tested negative for Ebola and Marburg, some were positive for malaria. Last year, a similar flu-like illness in another part of Congo was linked to malaria after causing numerous fatalities.

The recent escalation in violence in eastern Congo led to the destruction of crucial health infrastructure, worsening the situation for millions of people. WHO has continued its presence on the ground, assisting with medical supplies, supporting health workers, and coordinating emergency response efforts.

Congo is currently one of the hardest-hit countries in the Mpox epidemic, having reported 79,519 suspected cases and 1,507 deaths across its 26 provinces. In response, the Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene, and Social Welfare initiated a vaccination campaign targeting over 660,000 individuals this week.