Mysterious Illness Outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo
More than 50 people have died in recent weeks in two clusters of illness cases in northwest Democratic Republic of Congo with an unknown cause being investigated by the World Health Organization. The outbreaks pose a significant public health threat, with symptoms including fever, pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Samples have tested negative for Ebola and Marburg, and other potential causes being investigated include malaria, food poisoning, typhoid, meningitis, or other viral hemorrhagic fever.
Key Points
- More than 50 deaths in two clusters of illness cases in northwest Democratic Republic of Congo
- Unknown cause being investigated by WHO
- Symptoms include fever, pain, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Samples tested negative for Ebola and Marburg
- Investigating potential causes like malaria, food poisoning, typhoid, meningitis, or other viral hemorrhagic fever