Congo and WHO Probe Unexplained Illness Surge as Deaths Hit 60

Synopsis

Health officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation, are investigating a new outbreak of illnesses in Equateur Province, resulting in 1,096 sick and 60 deaths. The situation is exacerbated by ongoing health crises and armed conflict in the region.

Key Takeaways

1,096 individuals reported ill.
60 fatalities confirmed.
Symptoms include fever, headache, and cough.
Response teams deployed for investigations.
Infrastructure issues hinder healthcare access.

Kinshasa, Feb 28 (NationPress) Health officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO), are probing a recent outbreak of illnesses and fatalities in Equateur Province, where 1,096 individuals have reported sickness and 60 have succumbed to the illness.

The latest surge was noted in the Basankusu health zone of Equateur Province, which documented 141 additional cases last week, although no fatalities were recorded in this group.

Earlier in February, this area experienced 158 cases alongside 58 deaths. In January, the Bolomba health zone within the same province reported 12 cases, with 8 deaths, according to a statement from the WHO on Thursday.

The WHO indicated that enhanced disease monitoring has uncovered 1,096 sick individuals and 60 deaths in both Basankusu and Bolomba. Patients are presenting with symptoms including fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, stiff neck, cough, vomiting, diarrhea, and, in some instances, nosebleeds.

A national rapid response team, which includes WHO emergency specialists, has been dispatched to the affected areas to investigate possible causes and deliver urgent medical support, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

Preliminary laboratory investigations have excluded Ebola and Marburg virus, while about half of the samples tested positive for malaria. Ongoing assessments are looking into other potential infections such as meningitis, as well as possible environmental contamination, according to WHO.

Obstacles such as inadequate infrastructure and limited access to healthcare in the remote regions of Basankusu and Bolomba continue to pose challenges to the response efforts.

In late 2024, the DRC's southwestern province of Kwango was also affected by a "mysterious disease," which was later identified as severe malaria exacerbated by malnutrition. A government report released in January 2025 documented 2,774 cases and 77 deaths.

The current outbreak occurs as the DRC faces multiple health challenges, further straining its healthcare system.

Meanwhile, escalating violence in the DRC's North Kivu and South Kivu provinces has worsened an already critical humanitarian crisis. Reports indicate looting, assaults on aid workers, and road blockages, significantly disrupting relief efforts.