DRC - Equateur: two clusters of an unknown disease in Bolomba and Bansakusu health zones - tested negative for Ebola and Marburg

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Province of Équateur
/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Province_of_%C3%89quateur
-----------------------------------------------------
Translation Google

Equateur: More than 10 suspected cases of Ebola including 8 deaths reported in the Bolomba health zone

Posted on Jan. 27, 2025 at 7:47 pm

At least 12 suspected cases of Ebola haemorrhagic fever have been reported in the Boyenge health area incorporated into the Bolamba health zone, located more than 250 km from the city of Mbandaka, capital of the Equateur province.

The information was reported to the press on Monday, January 27, 2025 by Colomba Mampuya, president of the Red Cross/Equateur committee.

The same source specifies that the 8 deaths were recorded in the period from January 10 to 22, 2025, stressing that the samples were taken and sent to the laboratory in Mbandaka for examinations.

The source of the Red Cross section of the Bolomba territory affirms that only indigenous peoples are most affected by this disease.

Prince Wello

https://www.congo-press.com/sante/equateur-plus-de-10-cas-suspects-debola-dont-8-deces-signales-dans-la-zone-de-sante-de-bolomba/

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Congo checks 12 possible Ebola cases, African health body says

By Reuters
January 30, 202512:09 PM CST
Updated 25 min ago

DAKAR, Jan 30 (Reuters) - Democratic Republic of Congo authorities are investigating 12 possible cases of the deadly Ebola virus in its northwest, Africa's main health body said on Thursday, though first tests had come up negative.

The Congo cases under scrutiny, including seven deaths, were in Equateur province where tropical forests are a natural reservoir for the virus that causes fever, aches and diarrhoea.
...
"I hope we'll not confirm this outbreak, because it will be a lot for this country," Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) director general Jean Kaseya told reporters of the cases being investigated in Congo.

Tests carried out in the provincial capital came back negative for Ebola, another Africa CDC official Ngashi Ngongo told Reuters, adding that authorities were waiting further testing in the capital Kinshasa.
...

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/congo-checks-12-possible-ebola-cases-african-health-body-says-2025-01-30/

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Special Briefing on Mpox & other Health Emergencies || Feb. 6, 2025

Around 28:40:
(Transcript, possible typo)

...about the concern of the case of Ebola in western DRC, that was in the Equateur province specifically. The first testing was done in Mbandaka. It tested negative. Then, because we were so concerned, giving the fact that the cases met the definition of Ebola and then the specimens were transferred to the INRB in Kinshasa and also confirmed that it is negative. What has been taking place is that in collaboration with the government, I think the... NPHI is sending a team to the Equateur region to investigate and take more samples to understand, if it's not Ebola, if it's not Marburg, then what is it...

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/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basankusu_Territory

----------------------------
Translation Google

Equateur: More than 50 dead from an unknown disease in a few weeks in Bansakusu

Published on Thu, 02/13/2025 - 06:25 | Modified on Thu, 02/13/2025 - 06:42

An unknown disease has caused more than 50 deaths in just a few weeks in the territory of Bansakusu, warned Equateur senator Jean-Paul Boketsu Bofili on Wednesday, February 12.

In a press release sent to Radio Okapi on the same Wednesday, this elected official announced that many other people had fled their living environments to protect themselves from this disease.

In this note, he also specifies that the locality of Bomate, located 25 kilometers from the city of Basankusu is the epicenter of this disease which is characterized by hemorrhagic fevers, headaches, generalized joint pain or lower back pain.

Senator Boketsu says victims die within 24 hours.

" To date, there have been more than 36 deaths reported by the Basankusu health zone in one week, i.e. the period from February 3 to 9, and more than 50 deaths since the outbreak of the disease a few weeks earlier, in this locality which has only about 5,000 inhabitants ," he reports.

The elected official further added that more than 2,000 people have already fled their village to find refuge in the town of Basankusu and surrounding villages.

According to him, this is a "serious health and humanitarian tragedy, which is beyond the capacity of local administrative authorities and the health system" which are overwhelmed and lacking the means to deal with it.

Senator Boketsu Bofili says he is counting on the Government's intervention and calls on the population to respect barrier measures.

Radio Okapi was unable to reach the head doctor of the Basankusu health zone or the local authorities to get their version of the facts on this unknown disease.

https://www.radiookapi.net/2025/02/13/actualite/sante/equateur-plus-de-50-morts-dues-une-maladie-inconnue-en-quelques-semaines

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Text and image translated by Google

EQUATEUR | Senator Jean-Paul BOKETSHU warns of a health tragedy in BASANKUSU [Document]

Published on February 12, 2025
Written by Lintervieweur.cd

By The Congolese Interviewer

In a press release received by L'INTERVIEWEUR.CD, the Honorable Senator Jean-Paul BOKETSHU BOFILI sounds the alarm on the appearance of an unknown disease, once considered a health and humanitarian tragedy in the territory of BASANKUSU.

According to the press release, this disease of unknown origin has already caused dozens of deaths in less than a week, as well as massive displacement of affected communities.

Among the very remarkable symptoms of this: hemorrhagic fevers, headaches, generalized joint pain or lower back pain, from which the victims succumb after 24 hours.

According to this elected official, more than 36 cases of death were reported by the BASANKUSU health zone in one week, over the period from February 3 to 9, 2025, against more than 50 deaths.

In view of the above, the Honorable Senator, Jean-Paul Boketshu Bofili requests the National and Provincial Government, as a matter of urgency, to deploy a medical technical team to identify the origin of the disease.

https://lintervieweur.cd/2025/02/12/equateur-le-senateur-jean-paul-boketshu-alerte-sur-un-drame-sanitaire-a-basankusu-document/

[sharon sanders]

bump this

[sharon sanders]

bump this

[Mary Wilson]

2025-02-19 21:22:45
Source: Xinhua

KINSHASA, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- A new, unidentified illness has been reported in the northwestern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which is buffeted by multiple public health and humanitarian crises, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Wednesday.

Two clusters of cases and deaths related to the unidentified disease were reported in two health zones of the DRC's Equateur Province, the WHO said in a report.

By Feb. 15, the WHO said, 431 cases and 45 deaths had been reported.

The first cluster of cases and deaths were reported in January in Boloko Village, in Bolomba Health Zone. Preliminary investigations traced the outbreak's origin to three community deaths among children under five years old, who died after developing a fever, headache, diarrhea, and fatigue, which later progressed to hemorrhage.

There were reports that the children had consumed a bat carcass prior to the onset of signs and symptoms. ...

Possibilities of malaria, viral hemorrhagic fevers, food or waterborne poisoning, typhoid fever, and meningitis are being considered, but Ebola and Marburg viruses have been ruled out, according to testing, the WHO said. ...

https://english.news.cn/20250219/ac319ecb8e724480bbc60e8fe8ae1c79/c.html

_________________

Alexandra Phelan
@alexandraphelan.bsky.social

Associate Professor at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security working on emerging and reemerging infectious disease outbreaks, their Planetary Health drivers, and the role of international law in pandemic preparedness, equity & justice.

Alexandra Phelan @alexandraphelan.bsky.social
1h
WHO has reported an unidentified illness in Democratic Republic of Congo's Equateur Province, according to Xinhua. 431 cases and 45 deaths (at 15 Feb) across 2 clusters (Bolombo & Basankusu health zones). Rapid disease progression upon symptom onset. Ebola and Marburg apparently ruled out. 1/2
________________
Alexandra Phelan @alexandraphelan.bsky.social
1h
Other possibilities being considered are another viral hemorrhagic fever, malaria, food/water poisoning, typhoid, and meningitis. h/t

https://bsky.app/profile/alexandraphelan.bsky.social

[Mary Wilson]

Unknown disease kills over 50 in DR Congo's Equateur province

Mevlüt Özkan |13.02.2025 - Update : 13.02.2025

An unknown disease has claimed more than 50 lives in the Bansakusu territory of western Equateur province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

About 2,000 people have fled Bomate, which is 25 kilometers (over 15 miles) from Basankusu, the epicenter of the outbreak, Radio Okapi reported on Wednesday, citing a press statement issued by Senator Jean-Paul Boketsu Bofili of the Equateur province.

According to Bofili, symptoms of the unidentified disease include hemorrhagic fever, headaches, and joint or lower back pain.

“To date, there have been more than 36 deaths reported by the Basankusu health zone in one week, i.e., the period from February 3 to 9, and more than 50 deaths since the outbreak of the disease a few weeks earlier in this locality, which has only about 5,000 inhabitants," the senator said.

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/unknown-disease-kills-over-50-in-dr-congos-equateur-province/3481547

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WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Week 07: 10 - 16 February 2025
Data as reported by: 17:00; 16 February 2025
...
Democratic Republic
of the Congo

Unknown Disease

431 cases
53 Deaths
12.3% CFR

EVENT DESCRIPTION

On 13 February 2025, health authorities in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo reported a new
cluster of cases and deaths due to an unknown disease
in Bomate Village, Basankusu Health Zone, Équateur
Province, in the country’s northwest. This marks the
second cluster of cases and deaths from an unknown
disease in the province in less than a month.

The latest outbreak in Bomate Village was initially
reported to provincial health authorities on 9 February
2025. Initial reports indicated 32 cases with 20
community deaths, occurring between 30 January and
9 February 2025. As of 15 February 2025, ongoing
investigations and surveillance activities had identified
419 cases with 45 deaths (CFR 10.7%). The primary
clinical manifestations include fever, chills, headache,
myalgia, body aches, sweating, rhinorrhea, neck
stiffness, cough, vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal
cramps. Close to half of the deaths (48.9%, n=22)
occurred within 48 hours of symptom onset.

Specimens from thirteen cases, including 12 blood
samples from active cases and one swab from a
deceased individual, were collected and sent to the
National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB) in
Kinshasa for analysis on 11 February 2025. Test results
released on 13 February 2025, showed that all samples
were negative for Ebola and Marburg viruses by
polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Differential diagnosis
under investigation include malaria, viral haemorrhagic
fever, food or water poisoning, typhoid fever, and
meningitis.

This outbreak follows an earlier cluster of cases and
deaths reported to Équateur provincial health authorities
on 21 January 2025 from Boloko Village, Bolomba Health
Zone. Preliminary investigations traced the outbreak’s
origin to three community deaths among children
under five years old in Boloko Village between 10 and
13 January 2025. The affected children reportedly
developed fever, headache, diarrhoea, and fatigue,
which later progressed to haemorrhagic signs and
symptoms, including subconjunctival haemorrhage,
epistaxis, and haematemesis, before succumbing to the
illness. Reports indicate that the children had consumed
a bat carcass prior to onset of signs and symptom.

Between 15 and 22 January 2025, four additional deaths
occurred in the same village among children aged 5
to 18 years, all presenting with similar clinical features.
On 22 January 2025, during field investigation, an
additional fatal case with epidemiological links to the
previous deaths in Boloko Village was identified in a
nearby Village, Danda Village, along with four active
cases (three in Boloko and one in Danda). The active
cases were observed with signs and symptoms of fever,
vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue, abdominal pain, myalgia,
and headache, with three showing haemorrhagic signs
such as epistaxis, haematemesis, and melena. By 27
January 2025, a total of 12 cases with 8 deaths, had
been reported in Boloko Village, which recorded 10
cases with 7 deaths, and Danda Village, which recorded
2 cases with 1 death.

On 22 January 2025, blood specimens collected from
the four active cases, as well as a post-mortem swab
from the deceased individual in Danda Village, were
tested at the Provincial Laboratory in Mbandaka using
GeneXpert. All samples return negative results for Ebola
virus. On 31 January 2025, further testing at the National
Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB) in Kinshasa
confirmed that all specimens were negative for Zaire
ebolavirus and Marburg virus by PCR.

As of 15 February 2025, a total of 431 cases with 53
deaths (CFR 12.2%) have been reported across the
two health zones in Équateur Province. Bolomba Health
Zone has recorded 12 cases with 8 deaths (CFR 66.7%)
while Basankusu Health Zone has recorded 419 cases
with 45 deaths (CFR 10.7%). The exact circumstances
of exposure have not yet been established in both
outbreaks. Additionally, no epidemiological links have
been established between the cases in the two affected
health zones. Metagenomic sequencing and additional
investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of
illness and deaths in the two health zones.

PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

The outbreak has been officially notified to the national
level by the provincial health authorities. A joint meeting
involving local health authorities and partners was held to
assess the situation and plan response actions. A team
from the provincial level was dispatched to the affected
health zones to support investigation of the situation and
provide critical supplies.

With support from WHO and health partners some critical
medical supplies and commodities for case management,
laboratory testing, and infection prevention and control
are being dispatched to the affected health zones.

Case investigations and active case search are
ongoing in the affected areas, including in communities,
churches, and health facilities. Cases are being line
listed. Health teams, supported by WHO, are conducting
field investigations in Bomate, while 84 community health
workers have been briefed to enhance case detection
across multiple areas.

The investigation team has collected and shipped 18 samples from the two affected health zones for analysis, all of which
tested negative for Ebola and Marburg at INRB Kinshasa by PCR. Further laboratory investigation, including metagenomic
sequencing are ongoing.

Local health facilities in Basankusu and Ekoto are overwhelmed, only able to provide clinical services to the extent possible
to some of the patients. Isolation rooms have set up at Basankusu and Ekoto Health Centres to accommodate affected
individuals. Infection prevention and control measures include decontaminating isolation rooms and installing handwashing
stations at isolation sites to reduce transmission risk.

In Bolomba Health Zone, risk communication and community engagement efforts included multiple sensitization meetings
with leaders and residents of affected and neighbouring villages, as well as training sessions for community health workers on
active case search and surveillance reporting. In Basankusu Health Zone, awareness activities included community briefings,
advocacy with religious leaders, local radio broadcasts on preventive measures, and targeted discussions in villages to
promote early detection and care-seeking behaviour.

SITUATION INTERPRETATION

The situation in Équateur Province presents significant public health risk, with two clusters of an unknown disease causing
high morbidity and mortality. The overall case fatality ratio (12.2%), particularly high in Bolomba Health Zone (66.7%),
and the rapid disease progression raise concerns about a severe infectious or toxic agent. With Ebola and Marburg
ruled out, further laboratory testing is critical to identify the causative pathogen. The lack of clear epidemiological links
between the two health zones may suggest separate health events. The remote geography and limited healthcare
infrastructure exacerbate response challenges, with overwhelmed health facilities struggling to manage cases.
Despite ongoing response efforts, significant gaps remain, including limited laboratory capacity, unclear transmission
dynamics, and weak surveillance. Infection prevention measures, while initiated, may be inadequate if the disease is
highly transmissible. Strengthening case management, expanding epidemiological investigations, and enhancing risk
communication are essential. Urgent support is needed to reinforce health services, accelerate diagnostic testing, and
engage communities to prevent further transmission, improve early detection and reporting.



View/Open

OEW7-1016022025.pdf (3.843Mb)

https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/380529

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Translation Google

Equateur: More than 50 deaths from disease of unknown origin in Basankusu

February 20, 2025

Mbandaka, February 20, 2025 (ACP).- More than 50 deaths due to a disease of unknown origin have been recorded in Basankusu, in the province of Equateur, West of the Democratic Republic of Congo, we learned Thursday from an official source.

"This unidentified disease continues to ravage our Basankusu sector with more than 50 people dead. Samples continue to be taken," confirmed Mélanie Elambo, provincial minister in charge of health, on Thursday.

She said a team from the World Health Organization (WHO), a laboratory technician and an epidemiologist were deployed to the field to collect samples for appropriate analysis.

She also called on the population of Basakunsu to respect hygiene measures, before deploring the living conditions of this community. Furthermore, during a press briefing held on Wednesday, Clovis Elongama, provincial deputy of the said territory, warned of this health situation which has cost the lives of several people.

"We share the misfortune with the people of Basankusu territory. According to the information we have, an unidentified disease is ravaging the latter and has caused more than 50 deaths," he said.

"Local organizations are being set up to somewhat alleviate this situation, but this requires resources to disinfect more than 400 households that make up this group," he added. On this occasion, he expressed sympathy with the populations of Basankusu, specifically those in the sectors bearing the same name and Waka.

MP Elongama further mentioned some symptoms of the disease including headaches, body aches, weakness etc. The two officials called on the relevant national and provincial authorities as well as all partners working in the health sector to come forward to help as this is an urgent situation. ACP/CL

https://acp.cd/sante/equateur-plus-de-50-deces-dus-a-une-maladie-dorigine-inconnue-a-basankusu/

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Translation Google

DR Congo: Outbreaks of cases of febrile illnesses and suspicion of poisoning in the ZS of Basankusu, Equateur Province - Sitrep No 006 of February 18, 2025

Format Situation Report Sources

• Govt. DR Congo
• Health Cluster
• WHO

Posted 21 Feb 2025
Originally published 21 Feb 2025

• Download Report(PDF | 465.19 KB)

Highlights
- 132 alerts received, all investigated and validated
- 1 new death recorded at HGR Basankusu. The patient died on day 2 of hospitalization in a coma;
- 132 malaria TDRs carried out, including 67 positive results, i.e. 50.7%:
- Cumulative from 09 to 18/02/2025: 722 reported cases and 48 deaths (lethality 6.6%)

https://reliefweb.int/report/democra...8-fevrier-2025

------------------------------
Excerpt from the report:

Democratic Republic of Congo
Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Welfare
Equateur Province

Provincial Division of Public Health and Hygiene

SITREP No. 006 of February 18, 2025

Outbreaks of cases of febrile illnesses and suspicion of poisoning in the ZS of
Basankusu, Equateur Province

1. Highlights
- 132 alerts received, all investigated and validated
- 1 new death recorded at the HGR Basankusu. The patient died on D2 of hospitalization in
a picture of coma;
- 132 malaria RDTs carried out, of which 67 returned positive, i.e. 50.7%:
- Cumulative from 09 to 18/02/2025: 722 cases reported and 48 deaths (lethality 6.6%)

2. Summary of the epidemiological situation

The first cases have been reported since February 09, 2025, an increase in the curve has been observed
since the 14th. Most of the deaths (36 out of 47, i.e. 77%) occurred between 0 - 2 days after the onset
of the disease.

As of February 18, 2025, 722 cases including 48 deaths have been recorded, i.e.
a lethality of 6.6%. The cases are reported in 4 villages of 4 AS
(Ekoto, Lilangi, Lisafa and Bafumba) of which AS Ekoto remains the most
affected (Bomate village).

...
All age groups are affected with predominance in the age group of 5 to 45 years which
represent 74% of cases and 58% of deaths recorded. Women represent 53% of cases
notified as of February 18, 2025. The age range is from 2 months to 83 years (the youngest is 2 months and the
oldest is 83 years).

Summary of the observed symptomatology: the majority of patients (children and adults) present the
following symptoms: Fever, Chills, Headaches, Myalgia, Body aches, Neck pain, Polyarthralgia,
Anorexia, Vomiting, Sweating, Dyspnea, Agitation, diarrhea. In children aged 0-59,
a few cases have been observed at the stage of complications: incessant crying, intense thirst.

Proposed case definition: Outbreaks of Febrile Illnesses and Suspicion of Poisoning in
the ZS of Basankusu, Equateur Province

Case definition "to be used by providers in ESS

Suspected case: Any person living in or coming from the ZS of Basankusu and its surroundings
presenting a fever of sudden onset or history of fever with one or more of the
following signs: Chills, Headaches, Polyarthralgia, Body aches, Myalgia, Neck pain, Sweating,
Vomiting, Abdominal pain, Dyspnea.

Probable case: Any person who died from an unknown cause living in or coming from the ZS of
Basankusu and its surroundings.

Community definition "to be used by Recos and other Community Members"

Any person living in or coming from the Basankusu ZS and its surroundings presenting a
fever and generalized weakness Or any person who died of an unknown cause.

3. Diagnostic Hypothesis

Based on the history of the disease, the symptoms presented by patients, their lifestyles
(diet, WASH, profession), 35 malaria RDTs carried out of which 17 returned positive, it would be likely to
think of:
1) Malaria
2) Poisoning (water, food, etc.)
3) Flu
4) Typhoid fever

NB: Note that according to the information collected by the investigation team, there was no
notion of travel by people from Bomate Village, Basankusu ZS to Boloko Village in the Bolomba ZS
before the onset of the disease. The exchanges are random between the 2 villages located more than
200 km away on the combined land and river routes.
...

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Translation Google

DRC: a disease of unknown origin decimates in Basankusu, more than 943 cases including 52 deaths recorded

Monday, February 24, 2025 - 11:00

A febrile illness of unknown origin is ongoing in the Basankusu health zone in Equateur province, official sources say.

More than 943 patients including 52 deaths have been recorded since the beginning of February in five of the ten health areas of the Basankusu health zone.

“943 cases including 52 deaths were recorded, representing a lethality rate of 5.5%. The cases are reported in five villages in 5 health areas (Ekoto, Lilangi, Lisafa, Basengela and Bafumba). The Ekoto health area remains the most affected in the Bomate village,” the health authorities reported.

The disease affects all ages but with a majority of cases from 5 to 45 years old presenting symptoms such as fever, chills, headaches, myalgia, aches, neck pain, polyarthralgia etc. The first cases were reported on February 9.

Of the 151 rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for malaria carried out by the Ministry of Health teams, 84 were positive, i.e. 55.6%, and the hypothesis of a possible Ebola epidemic was ruled out.

https://actualite.cd/2025/02/24/rdc-une-maladie-dorigine-inconnue-decime-basankusu-plus-de-943-cas-dont-52-deces

[sharon sanders]

h/t @KrutikaKuppalli

Democratic Republic of the Congo deepens investigation on cluster of illness and community deaths in Equateur province

27 February 2025

Kinshasa – Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and experts from World Health Organization (WHO) are carrying out further investigations to determine the cause of another cluster of illness and community deaths in Equateur province. In recent months, disease surveillance has identified increases in illness and deaths three times in different areas of the country, and triggered follow-up investigations to confirm the cause and provide needed support.

Since the beginning of 2025, a series of illnesses and community deaths have affected Equateur province. The most recent cluster occurred in the Basankusu health zone, where last week 141 additional people fell ill, with no deaths reported. In the same health zone, 158 cases and 58 deaths were reported in the same health zone earlier in February. In January, Bolamba health zone reported 12 people who fell ill including 8 deaths.

Increased disease surveillance has identified in total of 1096 sick people and 60 deaths in Basankusu and Bolomba fitting a broad case definition that includes fever, headache, chills, sweating, stiff neck, muscle aches, multiple joint pain and body aches, a runny or bleeding from nose, cough, vomiting and diarrhoea.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is facing many concurrent crises and outbreaks, putting a further strain on the health sector and the population.

In response to the latest cluster of illness, a national rapid response team from Kinshasa and Equateur including WHO health emergency experts was deployed to Basankusu and Bolomba health zones to investigate the situation and determine if there is an unusual pattern. The experts are stepping up disease surveillance, conducting interviews with community members to understand the background, and providing treatment for diseases such as malaria, typhoid fever and meningitis.

WHO has delivered emergency medical supplies, including testing kits, and developed detailed protocols to enhance disease investigation.

Initial laboratory analysis has turned out negative for Ebola virus disease and Marburg virus disease. Around half of the samples tested positive for malaria, which is common in the region. Further tests are to be carried out for meningitis. Food, water and environmental samples will also be analysed, to determine if there might be contamination. The various samples will be sent for further testing at the national reference laboratory in Kinshasa. Earlier samples turned out not to be viable and re-testing was undertaken.

Basankusu and Bolomba are about 180 kilometres apart and more than 300 kilometres from the provincial capital Mbandaka. The two localities are reachable by road or via the Congo River from Mbandaka. This remoteness limits access to health care, including testing and treatment. Poor road and telecommunication infrastructure are also major challenges.

WHO is supporting the local health authorities reinforce investigation and response measures, with more than 80 community health workers trained to detect and report cases and deaths.

Further efforts are needed to reinforce testing, early case detection and reporting, for the current event but also for future incidents. WHO remains on the ground supporting health worker, collaborating closely with zonal, provincial and national health authorities to provide lifesaving medical supplies and to coordinate response to curb the spread of the illness and other outbreaks in the region.

https://www.afro.who.int/countries/democratic-republic-of-congo/news/democratic-republic-congo-deepens-investigation-cluster-illness-and-community-deaths-equateur

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.straitstimes.com/world/e...-officials-say

Deadly illness in Congo may be malaria, health officials say
UPDATED FEB 28, 2025, 03:09 AM

KINSHASA - A condition that has killed at least 50 people in northwest Democratic Republic of Congo this month is suspected to be malaria or food poisoning, local health officials said on Thursday.

At least 943 people have also fallen sick and 52 died in Equateur province, with symptoms ranging from fever and fatigue to vomiting and weight loss, Dieudonne Mwamba, director general of the National Institute of Public Health, said.

The World Health Organization said in a statement it had identified 1,096 cases and 60 deaths fitting the definition of the illness.

"For now, our diagnosis is malaria, and we also suspect food poisoning," Mwamba told Reuters.

"It's not an unknown and mysterious disease. It's a phenomenon involving children who consumed bushmeat."

The WHO said in a bulletin on February 16 it has received reports indicating that children had consumed a bat carcass before the onset of symptoms...

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Translation Google

Mysterious illness in DRC: WHO suggests possible poisoning

News. The World Health Organization (WHO) said Friday that mysterious illnesses reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) could be linked to poisoning. Since the beginning of the year, more than 1,000 cases and 60 deaths have been recorded in the province of Equateur, with symptoms ranging from fever, migraines and muscle pain.

Published on 02/28/2025 at 7:05 p.m. - By Africa Radio Editorial Staff / AFP

Amid widespread speculation about the origin of the cases, WHO emergencies officer Mike Ryan said the symptoms were more likely to be toxic than viral. Tests conducted on site ruled out hemorrhagic fevers such as Ebola or Marburg. Local authorities said a contaminated water source could be the cause.

Chemical poisoning is not excluded

The WHO does not rule out the possibility of chemical, bacterial or viral poisoning, recalling a previous episode in 2024 where unexplained deaths were ultimately attributed to malaria and respiratory infections aggravated by malnutrition. "As soon as it is not a virus threatening the entire world, no one is interested in it anymore," Mr. Ryan regretted, emphasizing the persistent vulnerability of local populations.

https://www.africaradio.com/actualite-108937-maladie-mysterieuse-en-rdc-l-oms-evoque-un-possible-empoisonnement