Death Within 48 Hours After Symptoms Like Fever and Vomiting... Investigating the Identity of the 12% Fatality Rate Mysterious Disease

Fatal Disease with 12% Mortality Rate Spreads in Democratic Republic of Congo
Over 50 Dead After Consuming Bats
Many Victims Died Within 48 Hours of Symptoms Such as Fever and Vomiting
Mortality Rate Reaches 12.3%

A deadly mysterious disease suspected to be related to bats is spreading in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC, also known as Minju Congo), causing global health authorities to be on high alert.

On the 25th (local time), the US CNN reported that a fatal epidemic is rapidly spreading in the northwestern region of Congo.

According to a weekly report released on the 15th by the World Health Organization (WHO) Africa office, a total of 431 infection cases have been reported in the area, with 53 deaths. The fatality rate reaches 12.3%. Infected individuals showed symptoms such as fever, vomiting, muscle pain, and diarrhea, and notably, a significant number of the deceased died within 48 hours after symptom onset.

The epidemic is believed to have started last month from three children who died after eating bats. The children who died after consuming bats reportedly had nosebleeds and vomited blood. Bats are known hosts of viruses that cause hemorrhagic fevers such as Marburg virus and Ebola. Additionally, the precursor of the COVID-19 virus also appeared in bats.

Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Pixabay

After investigating 18 samples, the research team confirmed that neither Marburg virus nor Ebola was the cause of this outbreak. WHO stated, "Further investigation is needed to identify the cause of the infectious disease," and added, "Considering the poor healthcare system in the region, there is concern about further spread of the disease."

Concerns about diseases transferring from animals to humans in regions where wild animals are consumed have existed for a long time. WHO revealed that in 2022, such outbreaks in Africa increased by more than 60% over the past decade.

Meanwhile, in December last year, an unknown illness similar to influenza occurred in the southwestern region of Congo, resulting in 143 deaths. Authorities explained that the infected showed symptoms similar to influenza, such as high fever and severe headaches. WHO reported that the investigation concluded the mysterious disease was a result of a combination of malaria and respiratory diseases.