WHO investigates cause of illness in the DRC as nearly 1,100 fall sick, 60 dead – BNO News

FedEx plane makes emergency landing at Newark Airport after bird strikeMexico extradites 29 cartel figures to the U.S., including Rafael Caro QuinteroNOAA lays off hundreds of workers, including meteorologists and scientistsDOJ releases first Epstein files as A.G. demands full disclosure to the FBIGene Hackman and wife found dead at New Mexico homeWHO investigates cause of illness in the DRC as nearly 1,100 fall sick, 60 deadFacebook outage leaves users unable to access site on desktopsMexican ghost hunter and influencer killed in shooting before livestreamShooting near German courthouse leaves 4 injured during murder trialPope Francis shows further improvement but remains in critical conditionMexico extradites 29 cartel figures to the U.S., including Rafael Caro QuinteroNOAA lays off hundreds of workers, including meteorologists and scientistsDOJ releases first Epstein files as A.G. demands full disclosure to the FBIVivek Ramaswamy announces bid for Ohio governor in 2026 raceU.S. joins Russia in vote against UN resolution on Ukraine withdrawalMexico extradites 29 cartel figures to the U.S., including Rafael Caro QuinteroDOJ releases first Epstein files as A.G. demands full disclosure to the FBIMexican ghost hunter and influencer killed in shooting before livestreamLil Baby video linked to gang violence that killed 2 children; 7 arrestedShooting near German courthouse leaves 4 injured during murder trialFacebook outage leaves users unable to access site on desktopsKey Considerations for Choosing the Right Funding Source for Your BusinessWhat Determines Life Insurance Costs? A Breakdown of Key FactorsTrump plans executive order to put USPS under federal controlApple Maps now displays “Gulf of America” for U.S. usersPublished onByNearly 1,100 people have fallen ill, with 60 deaths being confirmed, as health officials work to determine the cause of the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to the World Health Organization (WHO).Health authorities in the DRC, along with WHO experts, are investigating three clusters of illness and community deaths in the country’s Equateur province, according to a Thursday update from WHO’s Africa Region.A total of 1,096 cases and 60 deaths have been identified through increased disease surveillance, the update stated.Symptoms identified under the broad case definition for increased disease surveillance include fever, headache, chills, sweating, stiff neck, muscle aches, joint pain, body aches, nasal bleeding or discharge, cough, vomiting, and diarrhea.The most recent cluster emerged in the Basankusu health zone, where 141 people fell ill last week, though no deaths were reported. Earlier in February, the same health zone recorded 158 cases and 58 deaths. In January, the Bolamba health zone reported 12 cases, including 8 deaths.Initial laboratory tests have ruled out Ebola virus disease and Marburg virus disease, according to the update. Approximately half of the samples tested positive for malaria, which is common in the region, with further tests planned for meningitis. Food, water, and environmental samples will also be analyzed to assess possible contamination.Health experts from the DRC and WHO have been deployed to the affected areas to investigate any unusual patterns and to provide treatment for diseases such as malaria, typhoid fever, and meningitis.In an earlier update, WHO Africa Region reported that preliminary investigations traced the initial cluster’s origin to three community deaths among children under five in Boloko Village between January 10 and 13. Reports indicated that the children had consumed a bat carcass before developing symptoms.The WHO Africa Region report raised concerns over the high mortality rate, the rapid progression of the illness, and the risk of further spread. However, it also noted that the lack of epidemiological links between affected health zones may indicate separate health events.Illinois Amber Alert: Tristen Gaters abducted in ChicagoTrump plans executive order to put USPS under federal control7 injured in barbecue explosion at Kaanapali resort in HawaiiHelicopter crash on Idaho’s Ririe Reservoir leaves 1 dead, 1 injured3 dead, 2 injured after boat capsizes off Staten Island, NYMilitary plane crashes in Sudan, leaving multiple dead and injuredTexas ranchers warned after U.S. citizen killed in cartel IED explosion in MexicoUnknown disease kills 53 and infects hundreds in DRCCopyright © 2025 BNO News, B.V. All rights reserved.
About Us | Privacy Policy | Terms | BNO en Español | Contact Us