Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo are grappling with a fast-spreading and unidentified illness that has claimed more than 50 lives in the past five weeks.

The outbreak, which began in the village of Boloko, was first detected in three children who reportedly ate a bat and later died within 48 hours.

The illness, which presents with severe symptoms including fever, vomiting, and internal bleeding, has alarmed health experts due to its rapid fatality rate. “That’s what’s really worrying,” said Serge Ngalebato, medical director of Bikoro Hospital, a key regional health monitoring center.

So far, 419 cases and 53 deaths have been recorded, with a second outbreak emerging in the village of Bomate on February 9. The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that laboratory tests have ruled out common hemorrhagic fever viruses such as Ebola, Marburg, dengue, and yellow fever. Samples from 13 cases have been sent to the National Institute for Biomedical Research in Kinshasa for further testing. While some samples tested positive for malaria, experts remain uncertain if it is the primary cause of the outbreak.

The crisis has reignited concerns over zoonotic diseases—those transmitted from animals to humans—particularly in regions where wild animals are part of the local diet. According to WHO data, outbreaks of animal-borne diseases in Africa have increased by more than 60% in the past decade.

Last year, another unidentified illness that killed dozens in a different region of Congo was later determined to be malaria. However, with the nature of the current outbreak still unknown, health officials remain on high alert as they race to contain the spread and determine the cause of the deadly disease. (ILKHA)