Mystery deadly disease kills over 50 people in Congo within hours; know symptoms and other details

A mysterious and deadly illness is sweeping through northwestern Congo at an alarming rate, and has claimed over 50 lives. Doctors on the ground and the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed on Monday that the victims succumb to the disease within just 48 hours of showing symptoms, a worrying development that has left health officials looking for answers.

The outbreak, which first began on January 21 in Boloko, the Democratic Republic of Congo, has already infected 419 people, including 53 deaths. It all started after three children ate a bat and died within 48 hours following hemorrhagic fever symptoms.

A second outbreak of the mystery killer disease was reported in Bomate on February 9 and subsequently samples from 13 cases have been sent to the National Institute for Biomedical Research in Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, for testing, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.

Only few hours between onset of symptoms and death

"The interval between the onset of symptoms and death has been 48 hours in the majority of cases, and 'that’s what’s really worrying',” Serge Ngalebato, medical director of Bikoro Hospital, a regional monitoring center, told The Associated Press.

The cause of the illness remains unknown sparking fears of another deadly zoonotic disease. All the samples have returned negative for Ebola or other common hemorrhagic fever diseases like Marburg. However, some tested positive for malaria.

What was the Disease X that killed many earlier?

Not long back, a mystery flu-like illness that killed dozens of people in another part of Congo was discovered to be likely malaria.

Late last year, an outbreak of a mysterious illness sickened more than 400 people and killed 79 broke, started in Panzi, the rural part of the DRC. Most cases and deaths were found in children below 14.

The region was remote and its connectivity with other parts of Congo is limited. It took some effort to get the testing done. The Disease X which turned out to be malaria later, had common symptoms like fever, cough, fatigue, headache, and a runny nose. The severe symptoms include difficulty in breathing, anaemia, and signs of acute malnutrition.

Symptoms of Malaria

Malaria symptoms include fever, chills, and sweating, often in cycles. Other signs are headache, muscle aches, nausea, and fatigue. In severe cases, it can cause organ failure, seizures, or coma.

Which diseases cause Hemorrhagic fever?

Hemorrhagic fever occurs in diseases like dengue, Ebola, Marburg, Lassa fever, and Yellow fever. Other viral hemorrhagic fevers include Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever and Hantavirus infections. These diseases cause symptoms like fever, bleeding, organ failure, and shock. They are often spread by mosquitoes, ticks, or direct contact with infected bodily fluids.