According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), an unknown illness has emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo, claiming the lives of over 50 people in northwest Congo. These deaths come in the past five weeks, with the outbreak occurring on January 21, 2025. Since then, 419 cases and 53 deaths have been recorded.
The outbreak began in the village of Boloko, after three children consumed a bat and died within 48 hours. The children exhibited symptoms of hemorrhagic fever, commonly associated with deadly viruses such as Ebola, dengue, Marburg, and yellow fever. However, researchers have ruled out these diseases after samples were taken and tested, leaving the cause of the illness unidentified.
The outbreak in northwestern Congo has been identified by rapid progression from symptom onset to death, typically within 48 hours, which is a significant concern for health officials. The symptoms reported include fever, vomiting, and internal bleeding, similar to those associated with hemorrhagic fevers such as Ebola, Marburg, and yellow fever. There has been a long-standing concern with zoonotic diseases transferring from animals to humans, especially in regions where wild animals are eaten. In 2022, the WHO reported that over the last decade, there’s been a surge of over 60% of such outbreaks in Africa. Ebola and other hemorrhagic fevers accounted for 70% of those outbreaks, alongside diseases such as monkeypox, dengue, anthrax, and plague.
Second Outbreak in Bomate
A second outbreak was reported in the village of Bomate on February 13, 2025, with a larger number of cases compared to Boloko. 45 deaths out of the 419 cases were recorded at Bomate with almost half of the deaths happening after 48 hours of contracting the illness. While some patients in Bomate tested positive for malaria, no direct link between the outbreaks in the two villages has been established.
The situation in Bomate is somewhat different: Tests of samples from 13 cases were conducted at the National Institute for Biomedical Research, located in Kinshasa, Congo’s capital. Results from these tests determined all samples were negative for Ebola and Marburg but teams were also testing for other viral haemorrhagic infections like typhoid, food poisoning ,malaria and meningitis. Malaria, in particular, has been identified in some cases, especially in the Bomate outbreak.
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Response and Challenges
The response to the outbreak has been hindered by the remote location of the affected villages and the weak healthcare infrastructure in the region. Experts have been deployed to the area since February 14 to investigate the cases and slow the spread of the disease. Patients have shown some response to treatments targeting the symptoms, but the lack of access to healthcare resources pose an immense obstacle. The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the alarms for urgent action to accelerate laboratory investigations, improve case management and isolation capacities, and strengthen surveillance and risk communication.
Zoonotic Diseases and Public Health Concerns
Pathogens that can transmit from animals to humans cause zoonotic diseases, often through direct contact or consumption of infected animals. Increased mobility and urbanization exaggerate the rapid spread of such diseases, turning local outbreaks into global health crises. COVID-19, a zoonotic disease that claimed the lives of 7 million people worldwide, originated with infected wildlife sold at a market in China.
Historical Context of Zoonotic Diseases
Historically, zoonotic diseases have been a significant public health concern in Africa. The 2013-2016 Ebola epidemic in West Africa, which started with transmission from infected fruit bats to humans, is a harrowing example of how zoonotic diseases can spread quickly and cause widespread death in its wake. The epidemic resulted in over 10,000 deaths and highlighted the need for robust public health measures to prevent and control zoonotic diseases.
Current Challenges and Future Directions
The current outbreak in Congo underscores the challenges faced by health authorities in responding to zoonotic diseases. These challenges include identifying the cause of the illness, establishing effective surveillance systems, and providing adequate healthcare services in remote areas. The WHO and other global health organizations emphasize the importance of collaboration to tackle zoonotic diseases effectively.
In addition to improving healthcare infrastructure and surveillance, addressing the root causes of zoonotic disease transmission is imperative. This includes reducing the consumption of wild animals and enhancing public awareness about the risks associated with zoonotic diseases. Increasing access to better healthcare and ensuring food security within these rural areas would assist in preventing the spread and even occurrence of zoonotic diseases. Furthermore, international cooperation and support are essential for building capacity in affected regions to prevent and manage outbreaks effectively.
As the global community continues to grapple with these emerging health threats, it is essential to prioritise stronger public health measures, enhance international cooperation and address the underlying factors contributing to the spread of zoonotic diseases. By focusing on these strategies, we can work towards preventing future outbreaks and protecting public health globally.
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