A mysterious disease suspected to be linked to bats is spreading in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the death toll exceeding 50. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Africa Office, 431 cases have been reported so far, resulting in 53 deaths—a fatality rate of 12.3%.
Infected individuals display symptoms such as fever, vomiting, muscle pain, and diarrhea. Many of those who died succumbed within 48 hours of symptom onset. The outbreak is believed to have started early last month in Boloko village, Équateur Province, after three children died following the consumption of bats.
While bats are known carriers of viruses causing hemorrhagic fevers such as Marburg and Ebola, investigations have confirmed that these viruses are not responsible for the current outbreak.
The WHO has called for further investigation to identify the cause of the disease and warned that the region’s weak healthcare system increases the risk of further spread.
Although the DRC is experiencing ongoing internal conflict, the affected northwestern region is located several hundred kilometers from the eastern areas where rebel groups are active. In December last year, another unknown illness spread in the southwestern part of the country, infecting hundreds of people, which was later confirmed to be severe malaria.
Viewer Comments:
A 12% fatality rate is way too high—that’s seriously scary…
I’ve never heard of people eating bats before, but it’s that dangerous, huh?
We should pass down the lesson that humans should never eat bats.
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