Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are investigating a surge in illness and community deaths in the Equateur province. A recent cluster in the Basankusu health zone saw 141 cases reported, following earlier outbreaks with significant fatalities. WHO is providing support through resources and expertise to identify causes and enhance local healthcare response.
Health officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, alongside experts from the World Health Organization (WHO), are intensifying their investigation into a recent wave of illness and community fatalities in the Equateur province. This escalation follows a series of disease surveillance efforts which uncovered significant increases in illness and mortality within various regions, prompting urgent follow-up investigations to ascertain causes and extend necessary support.
Since the inception of 2025, Equateur province has experienced a troubling rise in illnesses and community deaths. The latest cluster was reported in the Basankusu health zone, where 141 individuals became ill, though fortunately, no deaths were recorded. Previously, this health zone recorded 158 cases with 58 deaths earlier in February, and in January, the Bolamba health zone reported 12 cases, including 8 fatalities.
To date, disease surveillance has identified 1,096 cases of illness and 60 deaths across the Basankusu and Bolomba areas. Symptoms fitting a broad case definition include fever, headache, muscle aches, respiratory issues, and gastrointestinal symptoms. These concurrent crises have placed additional burdens on the health system and local populations.
In response to the alarming trend, a national rapid response team comprising health experts has been dispatched to the affected areas to investigate potential patterns. This team is enhancing disease surveillance efforts while conducting interviews with local community members to gather relevant background information and provide treatment for common illnesses like malaria and typhoid fever.
The WHO has supplied emergency medical resources, including essential testing kits, and established protocols aimed at bolstering the disease investigation process. Initial laboratory tests have excluded Ebola and Marburg viruses, while about half of the tested samples were positive for malaria, which is prevalent in the region. Further evaluations for meningitis, as well as analyses of food and water samples, are scheduled.
In summary, health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are diligently investigating a concerning rise in illness and fatalities in the Equateur province. With significant assistance from the WHO, efforts are focused on tracing the cause of these illnesses, improving disease surveillance, and providing necessary medical resources. Enhanced community training and cooperation amongst health workers are vital to mitigate current and future outbreaks and deliver effective healthcare to remote regions.
Original Source: www.afro.who.int
