Investigation Intensifies in Democratic Republic of the Congo…

Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with WHO support, are investigating a cluster of illnesses and deaths in Equateur province. Recent reports indicate an increase in illnesses and fatalities, prompting a national response team to assess the situation. Challenges related to remoteness and healthcare access complicate the investigation and treatment efforts. WHO is providing essential supplies and training to local health workers to improve detection and response.

Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, alongside experts from the World Health Organization (WHO), are intensifying their investigation into a cluster of illnesses and fatalities in Equateur province. Recent disease surveillance has revealed multiple increases in illness and death across different regions, prompting further inquiry to establish the causes and deliver necessary support.

Since the onset of 2025, Equateur province has reported various illnesses and community deaths, with the latest cluster emerging in the Basankusu health zone. Last week, 141 individuals reported illness without any fatalities, although earlier in February, 158 cases and 58 deaths had been documented within the same zone. Additionally, in January, the Bolamba health zone reported 12 illnesses, including 8 deaths.

Overall, disease surveillance has indicated a total of 1,096 sick individuals and 60 deaths in the Basankusu and Bolomba areas, presenting symptoms like fever, headache, and gastrointestinal distress. This situation is exacerbated by several concurrent health crises in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, placing immense pressure on the country’s health sector.

In response to this emerging health threat, a rapid response team from Kinshasa, along with WHO health emergency experts, has been deployed to the affected zones to investigate potential unusual patterns. They are enhancing disease surveillance, conducting community interviews, and offering treatments for common illnesses such as malaria and typhoid fever.

WHO has provided essential medical supplies, including testing kits, and established protocols for the ongoing disease investigation. Initial laboratory tests have ruled out Ebola and Marburg viruses, with a significant proportion of samples testing positive for malaria. Further examinations for meningitis, as well as food and water samples, are being undertaken to assess possible contamination.

The geographical remoteness of Basankusu and Bolomba, located approximately 180 kilometers apart and 300 kilometers from the provincial capital Mbandaka, poses significant challenges for healthcare access. Poor infrastructure regarding roads and telecommunications further complicates the situation.

WHO continues to support local health authorities by enhancing investigative and response initiatives, having trained over 80 community health workers in case detection and reporting. Reinforcement in testing, early case identification, and reporting remains critical for the current health event and for future occurrences. WHO is actively collaborating with various health authorities to provide lifesaving supplies and coordinate responses to mitigate further outbreaks.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is facing a complex health crisis with rising illness and mortality rates in Equateur province. Ongoing investigations by health authorities and WHO experts seek to identify the causes while providing necessary treatments. The challenges posed by the region’s remoteness and concurrent health issues highlight the urgency of enhancing disease surveillance and response efforts.

Original Source: www.afro.who.int