In northwestern Congo, a mysterious illness has claimed over 50 lives in the past five weeks, with half of these deaths occurring shortly after symptoms emerged. The outbreaks, first reported on January 21, have affected two remote villages in Equateur province, which are located more than 190 kilometres apart and have resulted in a total of 419 cases.
Health authorities have yet to determine the cause of these outbreaks or whether they are interconnected. The Africa office of the World Health Organisation (WHO) noted that the first victims in the village of Boloko were children who died within 48 hours after consuming bat meat. In the second village, Bomate, a higher number of patients have been reported, some of whom have malaria.
Dr. Serge Ngalebato, medical director at Bikoro Hospital, acknowledged the variance in these outbreaks, highlighting the higher mortality in Boloko compared to the pronounced malaria cases in Bomate. The WHO has expressed concern over the rapid progression of illness to death in Boloko and the cumulative fatalities in Bomate. Roughly 80% of affected patients are exhibiting similar symptoms, including fever, chills, body aches, and diarrhoea. Initially, there were fears that these symptoms could indicate a haemorrhagic fever like Ebola, given the recent deaths linked to an infected animal. However, extensive testing has ruled out Ebola and similar diseases.
The WHO is exploring various possible causes, such as malaria, viral haemorrhagic fever, food poisoning, typhoid fever, and meningitis. The Congolese government has dispatched experts to the affected villages to investigate and contain the spread of the illness since mid-February. There are indications that patients have been responsive to symptomatic treatments despite challenges posed by the remote locations and the inadequate healthcare infrastructure.
The outbreak follows a trend of increasing zoonotic diseases in Africa, partially attributed to growing interactions between wild animals and humans in regions like Congo, home to a significant portion of the Congo Basin’s forests. Experts warn that as long as these forests remain, there is a persistent risk of viral mutations leading to further epidemics.
The need for swift action has been reiterated by the WHO, underscoring the importance of enhancing laboratory investigations, improving case management, and bolstering surveillance efforts. The recent outbreaks emerge amidst ongoing concerns regarding foreign aid for Congo’s health sector, compounded by broader socio-economic challenges in the region.