A previously unknown disease has claimed the lives of over 50 individuals in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since the start of 2025, with hundreds more exhibiting symptoms. Health officials are working diligently to identify the cause of the disease, which continues to affect remote villages in the northwestern Équateur province.
The recent outbreak started on January 21, and reports suggest that over 400 individuals have been infected, with at least 53 fatalities as of February 16. The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed this as the second case cluster in the province in less than a month.
The first outbreak was traced back to Boloko Village, where three children allegedly became ill after consuming a bat carcass. Their symptoms quickly escalated to hemorrhagic indicators, such as bleeding from their eyes, nosebleeds, and vomiting blood, leading to their deaths within 48 hours.
The second, larger outbreak was reported on February 13 in Bomate village, with a total of 45 deaths among 419 cases. Symptoms in both outbreaks include fever, headache, chills, cough, diarrhea, and neck stiffness, with some victims developing hemorrhagic symptoms.
The rapid progression of the illness has raised significant concern among health experts.
“That’s what’s really worrying,” Serge Ngalebato, medical director of Bikoro Hospital, said of the time period from symptom onset to death.
The majority of victims have succumbed to the disease within 48 hours of showing initial symptoms, which makes it particularly lethal and difficult to manage in the remote region with its scarce healthcare resources.
Twelve blood samples from active cases and a swab from a deceased individual have been tested in the laboratory for Ebola and Marburg viruses, both deadly hemorrhagic fevers known to trigger similar symptoms. The tests have returned negative. Some samples tested positive for malaria, but health officials suspect another pathogen is causing the unusual symptoms and swift progression.
“Further laboratory testing is critical to identify the causative pathogen,” reported the WHO.
Health authorities are exploring several possible causes, including other viral hemorrhagic fevers, food poisoning, typhoid, and meningitis. The link established with bat consumption in the initial cases has prompted concerns about potential zoonotic transmission, as bats are notorious for carrying various viruses that can infect humans.
This outbreak follows another unidentified illness that led to 79 deaths in December 2024 in the country’s southwestern region. This outbreak was later linked to acute respiratory infections complicated by malaria.
The current situation presents considerable obstacles for health responders. The affected villages are remote, with limited surveillance capacity and underdeveloped healthcare infrastructure. Access to diagnostic tools and medical supplies is limited, complicating the identification of the causative agent and the provision of adequate patient care.
The WHO and local health authorities have dispatched rapid response teams to the affected areas to increase surveillance, enhance case management, and collect samples for further testing. Community education efforts about prevention measures are also in progress.
The DRC is currently grappling with multiple health crises, including an ongoing mpox outbreak and the residual effects of an Ebola outbreak. The country’s healthcare system is already stretched, with resources being redirected to conflict zones in the eastern part of the country.
Health experts have observed a worrying trend in the region, with disease outbreaks transmitted from animals to humans in Africa increasing by over 60% in the past decade. Climate change, deforestation, and human intrusion into wildlife habitats are believed to be contributing to this increase.
At present, local health workers continue to isolate suspected cases and provide supportive care while they await conclusive information about the nature of this mysterious and deadly disease.