An unknown disease has claimed more than 50 lives in the Bansakusu territory of western Equateur province, raising serious concerns about a potential outbreak.
Symptoms of the disease include hemorrhagic fever, headaches, and joint or lower back pain, raising concerns about the possibility of a viral hemorrhagic fever outbreak, such as Ebola or Marburg.
The outbreak has forced thousands of people to flee their homes, including approximately 2,000 residents of Bomate, a town located 25 kilometers from Basankusu, the epicenter of the outbreak.
The Congolese authorities are facing significant challenges in responding to the outbreak, including limited resources, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and the potential for the disease to spread to other regions.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and other international partners must urgently provide support to the Congolese government in investigating the outbreak, identifying the cause of the disease, and implementing effective public health measures to contain its spread.
The swift and coordinated response to this outbreak is crucial to prevent further loss of life and mitigate the potential impact of the disease.”