Health officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo believe a deadly illness that has killed at least 50 people this month is likely to be malaria or food poisoning.
The outbreak, in the northwest Equateur province, has seen nearly 1,000 people fall ill, experiencing symptoms such as fever, vomiting, and fatigue.
“For now, our diagnosis is malaria, and we also suspect food poisoning,” said Dieudonne Mwamba, from the National Institute of Public Health. He added the situation involved children who had eaten bushmeat.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recorded over 1,000 cases and 60 deaths linked to the illness. They have also reported that children consumed a bat carcass before becoming ill.
Tests have ruled out viral hemorrhagic fever, with a large majority of samples testing positive for malaria.
“The diagnostic is more pointing toward malaria,” confirmed Ngashi Ngongo from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
The WHO has said it is increasing surveillance and will work with local authorities to further investigate the outbreak.