Viral Hatch US/UK No.1 News Portal
A rapidly spreading illness in central Africa has left dozens dead, as health officials investigate its source and take steps to contain the outbreak.
An unknown illness has killed 53 people in northwestern Congo over the past five weeks, raising alarm among health officials. As reported by the Associated Press (AP), the outbreak began on January 21 in Boloko Village after three children died shortly after eating a bat carcass.
The children initially developed fever, headache, diarrhea, and fatigue, which later progressed to hemorrhagic symptoms before their deaths. By January 27, 12 cases and 8 deaths were confirmed in Boloko, including additional cases in nearby Danda Village.
A second outbreak was reported in Bomate Village, Basankusu Health Zone, on February 9. Initial reports confirmed 32 cases and 20 deaths between January 30 and February 9. By February 15, the case count had risen to 419 cases and 45 deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) Africa Region.
Across both outbreaks, patients are experiencing fever, chills, headaches, myalgia, sweating, neck stiffness, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. The disease progresses quickly, occurring within 48 hours of symptom onset. Dr. Serge Ngalebato, medical director of Bikoro Hospital, called the rapid decline in patients “really worrying.”
Health officials have sent 13 patient samples to the National Institute for Biomedical Research (INRB) in Kinshasa for testing. All samples have tested negative for Ebola and Marburg viruses, ruling out these common hemorrhagic diseases.
Further metagenomic sequencing is underway to identify the pathogen. Some samples tested positive for malaria, but experts say this does not fully explain the severe symptoms and high fatality rates. Other possibilities being investigated include viral hemorrhagic fever, food or water poisoning, typhoid fever, and meningitis.
As of February 15, the total case count across Équateur Province has reached 431, with 53 deaths at the moment (CFR 12.3%). The highest fatality rate is in the Bolomba Health Zone (66.7%), while the Basankusu Health Zone has a CFR of 10.7%.
No confirmed epidemiological links between the two outbreaks have been established, and the source of exposure remains unclear.
Public health officials are ramping up response efforts. The WHO and health partners have dispatched medical supplies, laboratory equipment, and infection prevention resources. Local teams are actively searching for new cases, conducting field investigations, and engaging communities through awareness campaigns.
However, health facilities in Basankusu and Ekoto are overwhelmed, struggling to manage the growing number of cases.
The WHO has warned that the situation “presents significant public health risk” due to the high fatality rate in Bolomba Health Zone (66.7%) and the rapid disease progression, which suggests a severe infectious or toxic agent. Limited healthcare infrastructure and unclear transmission patterns pose major challenges.
Urgent efforts are needed to strengthen surveillance, accelerate diagnostic testing, and reinforce health services to prevent further spread.
While Congo battles a deadly outbreak, the U.S. reported its first severe bird flu case and declared a state of emergency elsewhere.
A patient in Louisiana was hospitalized with the first severe case of avian influenza A(H5N1) (“H5N1 bird flu”) in the U.S. The CDC confirmed the presence of the virus on December 13, 2024.
An investigation was underway to identify the source of the H5N1 bird flu infection. However, it was confirmed that the patient had contact with ill and deceased birds from backyard flocks. This marked the first reported U.S. case of H5N1 bird flu connected to backyard flock exposure.
Additionally, there were 37 cases connected to dairy herds, 21 associated with poultry farms and culling operations, and 2 cases where the source of exposure remained unknown.
Genomic analysis of the H5N1 bird flu virus from the Louisiana patient showed that it belonged to the D1.1 genotype, which was linked to recent detections in wild birds and poultry in the U.S., as well as human cases in Canada and Washington.
This differed from the B3.13 genotype, which was observed in dairy cows, some human cases, and poultry outbreaks. The CDC conducted further sequencing and virus isolation from the sick patient.
A single severe H5N1 bird flu case in a person was not unusual, as this virus had caused serious illness and fatalities in other countries, including in 2024. There was no evidence of person-to-person transmission at the time. Additionally, the CDC maintained that the overall public health risk from H5N1 bird flu was low.
Nevertheless, California Governor, Gavin Newsom, declared a State of Emergency to expedite the state's response to H5N1 bird flu after cases emerged in Southern California dairy cows.
The virus had spread across 16 states since its first confirmed detection in Texas and Kansas on March 25, 2024. Bird flu was first identified in the U.S. wild bird population in South Carolina in January 2022, followed by California in July 2022.
An outbreak in dairy cows was reported in Texas and Kansas, prompting the CDFA to monitor California herds. At that time, 61 confirmed human cases had been reported across seven states, including 34 in California.
Newsom explained that the declaration of a State of Emergency enables greater flexibility in staffing, contracts, and containment measures. He informed the public that California has implemented the nation's most extensive testing and monitoring system to address the outbreak.
The governor shared, “We are committed to further protecting public health, supporting our agriculture industry, and ensuring that Californians have access to accurate, up-to-date information.”
As the government works to enhance public health, people have been urged to reduce their risk of H5N1 exposure. The public is advised to avoid contact with sick or dead animals, including wild birds, poultry, and domesticated animals.
If exposure is unavoidable, personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, safety goggles, N95 respirators, and disposable coveralls, should be worn to minimize risks.
Additionally, people should cook poultry, eggs, and meat to safe internal temperatures and consume pasteurized dairy products to help eliminate potential virus contamination.
Individuals exposed to infected animals are asked to monitor themselves for symptoms, such as respiratory issues or eye redness, for 10 days. They should seek medical attention promptly if symptoms appear.
For poultry and livestock workers, employers are encouraged to update workplace health and safety plans to address potential H5N1 exposure. They should also conduct hazard assessments to identify high-risk tasks.
Additionally, when employers implement control measures, such as isolating infected animals and ensuring proper hygiene, they can significantly reduce risks.
Workers should also be provided with appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to safeguard against contact with infected animals or contaminated materials. By following these recommendations, the spread of H5N1 can be effectively mitigated.
