An unknown disease outbreak in the northwest of the Democratic Republic of Congo has set alarm bells ringing in the medical community with the speculation that it might be severe malaria, but doctors have not yet been able to draw a definite conclusion. The unknown disease has claimed at least 60 lives as of publishing this report, with 955 total cases and a fatality rate of 6.3%. 

The WHO bulletin describes the disease to cause a condition in patients known as Acute Febrile Syndrome. The Syndrome is characterized by a range of non-specific conditions, such as headaches, body aches, chills, sweating, fatigue, cough, sore throat, sudden high fever, and others.

The information of this outbreak was published in the weekly bulletin on outbreaks by WHO (African Region). The WHO Bulletin reports that patients exhibit symptoms including fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, and body aches. In some cases, particularly in the Bolomba region, victims developed hemorrhagic symptoms like those seen in viral hemorrhagic fevers before death.

Provincial health authorities first reported the outbreak on February 13, though cases date back to January 30. The earlier Bolomba cluster was identified on January 21 after three children under five years old died between January 10-13.

The WHO bulletin mentions children consuming a bat carcass prior to onset of signs and symptoms, in one of the clusters but officials have not established any epidemiological links between the two clusters that have emerged, thus unable to ascertain the origin of the disease.

Laboratory testing at the National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB) in Kinshasa, the capital of DRC has ruled out Ebola and Marburg viruses, but metagenomic sequencing is ongoing to determine the cause. Other diseases under investigation mentioned in the bulletin include malaria, viral hemorrhagic fever, food or water poisoning, typhoid fever, and meningitis.

The WHO bulletin also reports on the response efforts stating that there are significant challenges due to the remote location and limited healthcare infrastructure. Local health facilities in Basankusu and Ekoto are reportedly "overwhelmed" and only able to provide limited clinical services.

New mystery illness outbreak leads to panic on social media

With memories of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the related loss of lives and livelihoods, still fresh for many people, it is no wonder that the illness has sparked fears among many sections of the world.

Conversation is rife on X (formerly twitter) about this outbreak as few of the earliest victims, three children under the age of five, had allegedly consumed bat meat prior to falling sick. The unknown disease is reported to have a higher fatality ratio for children under five than adults.

Some claim that they have "seen this movie before," while others have been wondering if this would mark the start of a new "pandemic."

However, available information indicates no reason to panic. WHO and health partners have dispatched medical supplies and established isolation rooms at local health centres. Community health workers have been deployed to enhance case detection, while risk communication efforts include meetings with local leaders, radio broadcasts, and village discussions.

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