Dozens of people have died from an unknown disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As of February 15, “53 people have died” in Équateur Province, with symptoms including fever, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, and fatigue. The WHO warns the outbreak “poses a significant public health threat.”

Many deaths occur within 48 hours, raising concerns about a severe infectious or toxic agent. The WHO confirmed that “Ebola and Marburg have been ruled out,” but the exact cause remains unknown. The outbreak has affected two villages—Bomate and Boloko—where it was first reported in January and February.

Investigations suggest the disease may be linked to “three community deaths among children under five years old” who had consumed a bat carcass. Over 400 cases have been reported, and experts warn that “urgent action is needed to accelerate laboratory investigations” and improve case management.

Michael Head, a global health expert, stated, “A genuinely new illness… can happen but is very rare,” suggesting it could be an undiagnosed existing disease. The WHO is conducting “metagenomic sequencing and additional investigations” to determine the cause.