New Illness Outbreak Claims Lives in Democratic Republic of Congo

Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo — Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are collaborating with the World Health Organization (WHO) to investigate a recent cluster of illnesses and community deaths in Equateur province. Since the beginning of 2025, local health officials have reported a significant rise in illnesses and fatalities attributed to the unexplained outbreak, prompting urgent action and further analysis.

The latest cluster occurred in the Basankusu health zone, where 141 individuals fell ill last week but with no reported deaths. Earlier in February, this health zone recorded 158 cases and 58 deaths. In January, the Bolamba health zone reported 12 illnesses including 8 deaths. In total, 1,096 cases and 60 deaths have been identified across Basankusu and Bolamba, showing symptoms such as fever, headache, chills, and diarrhea.

The DRC is currently grappling with multiple health crises, further straining its health sector. In response to the outbreak, a national rapid response team, supported by WHO health emergency experts, has been deployed to the affected areas to investigate the circumstances surrounding the illness and to enhance disease surveillance efforts.

Dr. Mike Ryan, WHO’s head of emergencies, noted in a recent press conference that the spike in deaths may be linked to a poisoning event, potentially from contaminated water sources. “This seems much more like a toxic type event,” he said, as investigations focus on protecting the vulnerable populations affected by the outbreak.

WHO has provided emergency medical supplies, including testing kits, to facilitate swift response measures. Initial laboratory analyses have ruled out Ebola and Marburg viruses, with about half of the tested samples confirming malaria, while further tests for meningitis are ongoing.

The remoteness of Basankusu and Bolamba, located approximately 180 kilometers apart and over 300 kilometers from the provincial capital, Mbandaka, complicates access to healthcare resources. Poor road and telecommunication infrastructure exacerbate the challenges faced by health officials in delivering urgent medical care.

To bolster local capacities, WHO has trained over 80 community health workers to aid in disease detection and reporting to expedite response measures. Increased early case detection, case reporting, and consistent testing are crucial to not only address the current outbreak but also to prepare for potential future incidents.

As health teams conduct extensive investigations, they are also prioritizing the treatment of other prevalent illnesses like malaria, typhoid fever, and meningitis. The WHO remains actively engaged with local and national health authorities to address the ongoing health challenges and ensure the provision of lifesaving medical aid.

While health officials continue their work, there is a growing concern over the historical impact of funding cuts to health initiatives by the U.S., which may hinder efforts to combat outbreaks effectively. Health stakeholders emphasize the necessity for sustained international support to manage the health complexities facing the region.