Overview

• Since January 21, 431 suspected cases and 53 deaths have been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with symptoms resembling hemorrhagic fevers like Ebola and Marburg.
• The disease's rapid progression, with deaths occurring within 48 hours of symptom onset, has alarmed health officials and prompted urgent investigations.
• Initial cases in Boloko village were linked to three children who died after consuming a bat carcass, but the exact cause of the illness remains undetermined.
• Tests have ruled out common pathogens such as Ebola, Marburg, and yellow fever, though some cases tested positive for malaria, complicating the diagnosis.
• The World Health Organization has called for immediate intervention, citing the remote location and fragile healthcare infrastructure as factors increasing the risk of further spread.