n unidentified disease has caused 53 deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Équateur Province, with over 400 reported cases since January, according to the WHO. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, headaches, and fatigue, with some deaths occurring within 48 hours. While Ebola and Marburg have been ruled out, concerns remain about a severe infectious or toxic agent.

The outbreak, affecting Bomate and Boloko villages, traces back to three children under five who had consumed a bat carcass. The WHO urges urgent action to enhance lab testing, case management, and surveillance due to the region’s weak healthcare infrastructure.

Michael Head, a global health researcher, noted that while new diseases can emerge, they are rare, and the illness is likely a known pathogen yet to be identified. Metagenomic sequencing is underway to determine the exact cause in the affected Bolomba and Basankusu Health Zones.