Over the past five weeks, an unknown disease has claimed more than 50 lives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This mysterious disease was first discovered among three children who ate bats. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there were 431 and 53 deaths in two outbreaks in remote villages as of February 16.
Some recent reports show that Westergo has 1,096 cases and 60 deaths.
In most cases, the interval between symptoms and onset of death is only 48 hours.
Serge Ngalebato, medical director of Bikoro Hospital in the regional surveillance center, said the disease’s ability to kill people within 48 hours of onset is “really worrying.”
What are the symptoms of this mysterious disease?
Fever, vomiting, and internal bleeding were identified as initial symptoms. Later, health authorities confirmed more symptoms, including diarrhea, body pain, intense thirst and joint pain.
Some reports also show that children who died of illness kept crying and bleeding from their noses and vomiting blood.
Based on tests on more than a dozen samples, researchers ruled out that these “bleed fever” symptoms are often associated with known deadly viruses such as Ebola, dengue, Marburg and yellow fever. However, the exact origin and nature of the disease are not yet known.
“We are looking at whether it is another infection or some kind of toxic agent. We have to see what can be done and when it can be supported,” a spokesperson for Who said.
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