Mystery Illness in Congo Has Killed More Than 50 People Hours After They Felt Sick

The Epoch Times Header

KINSHASA, Congo—An unknown illness first discovered in three children who ate a bat has rapidly killed more than 50 people in northwestern Congo over the past five weeks, health experts say.

The interval between the onset of symptoms – which include fever, vomiting and internal bleeding—and death has been 48 hours in most cases and “that’s what’s really worrying,” said Serge Ngalebato, medical director of Bikoro Hospital, a regional monitoring center.

These “hemorrhagic fever” symptoms are commonly linked to known deadly viruses, such as Ebola, dengue, Marburg and yellow fever, but researchers have ruled these out based on tests of more than a dozen samples collected so far.

The latest disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo began on Jan. 21, with 419 cases recorded and 53 deaths.

The outbreak began in the village of Boloko after three children ate a bat and died within 48 hours, the Africa office of the World Health Organization said Monday.

There have long been concerns about diseases jumping from animals to humans in places where wild animals are popularly eaten. The number of such outbreaks in Africa has surged by more than 60 percent in the last decade, the WHO said in 2022.

After the second outbreak of the mystery disease began in the village of Bomate on Feb. 9, samples from 13 cases were sent to the National Institute for Biomedical Research in Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, for testing, the WHO said. All samples were negative for common hemorrhagic fever diseases, although some tested positive for malaria.

Last year, another mystery flu-like illness that killed dozens of people in another part of Congo was determined likely to be malaria.

By Jean-yves Kamale, The Associated Press

Read Original Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Columns

No Pain, No Gain

There will be short term pain from Trump's tariffs, but long-term we'll see the unshackling of the greatest country and economy the world has ever known.

 The Right is So Much Funnier than the Left!

When one thinks of humor one does not normally think of our leadership on Capitol Hill or in the White House but there's been episodes that are hilarious.

Screen angels

Not only did Disney’s latest film Snow White take a...

WATCH: Biden Disinfo Czar/Dystopian Mary Poppins Re-Emerges For Horrific Congressional Testimony

The self-professed “Mary Poppins of disinformation,” Nina Jankowicz, emerged from whatever troll-cave she’s been living in to testify to Congress,

Justice Delayed is Justice Denied, Prosecute Jeffrey Goldberg!

Jeffrey Goldberg reported on his mistaken inclusion in a signal chat as a hit piece on Trump. Should he be prosecuted under the Espionage Act?

News

2 Border Patrol Agents Charged for Taking Bribes to Allow Illegal Immigrants Entry

DOJ said two border patrol officers have been arrested for allegedly taking bribes to allow cars with illegal immigrants to cross the border into the US.

Shen Yun Performs to Full House in Southern California City Despite Fake Bomb Threat

Shen Yun Performing Arts, facing pressure from Beijing, performed to a full house in Claremont, CA, after venue was evacuated due to bomb threat proven false.

Why Industrial-Scale Cyber Scamming of US Victims Is Thriving In Burma

Scam centers along Burma’s border with Thailand, run by Chinese organized crime and human traffickers, highlight the scale of international cybercrime.

Judge Issues Permanent Block on Trump Admin’s Change to NIH Indirect Cost Rate

Federal judge issued permanent injunction blocking Trump admin from reducing money NIH pays grant recipients for indirect costs, such as administration or maintenance of facilities.

Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Attempt to Fire InterAmerican Foundation Leaders

Federal judge in Washington blocked Trump’s admin from firing the leadership of the InterAmerican Foundation and canceling most of its grant contracts.

Federal Judge Declines to Rule Against NEA over ‘Gender Ideology’ Funding Ban

Judge denied motion to stop NEA from blocking funds for art projects promoting gender ideology, as agency is no longer implementing certification requirement.

States Move to Protect Americans’ DNA From China

As concerns grow about biotech advancements that would allow...

US Stocks Fall for 2nd Straight Day After Global Tariff News

U.S. stocks fall for the second consecutive day on Friday after the Trump administration announced a series of global tariffs.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central