-1740653386.jpg "Henri Sannier: “I have a rare disease, but I wage war on a daily basis”")
For the past few weeks, an unknown virus has been wreaking havoc in the Democratic Republic of Congo, causing 53 deaths out of 419 cases identified. Appeared after the consumption of a bat, it spreads quickly and kills in a few hours.
- Since January, a mysterious disease has been raging in the DRC, causing 53 deaths out of 419 cases identified. Appeared in Boloko after the consumption of a bat, it spreads quickly and kills in a few hours.
- The analyzes revealed neither Ebola nor other hemorrhagic fever, but several cases of malaria. WHO alerts to the increase in epidemics in Africa, exacerbated by malnutrition and urbanization.
- If malaria is involved, prevention campaigns are essential, but if a new pathogen is involved, the health challenge could be major.
Since January, a mysterious disease has worried the scientific community in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). With more than 419 cases identified and already 53 deaths in the northwest of the country, the epidemic spreads to a dazzling speed, according to a report published Monday by the World Health Organization (WHO). Its particularity: contaminated people succumb in the days or even in the hours following the appearance of the first symptoms. “This is what is really worrying”alerted Serge Ngalebato, medical director of the Bikoro Health Center (Center-Ouest), quoted by the American agency Associated Press.
An origin still uncertain
The first cases appeared in the city of Boloko, where three children died 48 hours after consuming a bathe allegedly carrying the virus. Quickly, a second contagion home appeared in Bomate, strengthening fears of uncontrollable propagation.
Faced with this situation, patient samples were analyzed at the National Kinshasa Biomedical Research Institute. Verdict: no link with Ebola or other known hemorrhagic fevers, but several positive cases to malaria. This track could partly explain the epidemic, although uncertainties persist.
A risk of explosion of epidemics in Africa
This is not the first time that this type is hit the DRC. At the end of 2024, another epidemic, with symptoms close to a flu, had caused many deaths. It had also been linked to malaria. More generally, WHO fears a possible explosion of epidemics in Africa. In July 2022, the organization published a report claiming that on the continent, the number of diseases transmitted by animals had increased by 63 % compared to the previous decade. According to Matshidiso Moeti, Regional Director of WHO, “This represents a considerable burden of morbidity, causing about a billion patients and millions of deaths worldwide each year.”
#Africa ???? is facing a growing risk of outbreaks caused by zoonotic pathogens.
There has been 63% Increase in the Number of Zoonotic Outbreaks in the Region in the Decade from 2012-2022 Compared to 2001-2011, According to A @Who Analysis ➡️ https://t.co/b6mnjvkydw pic.twitter.com/v6qepsssqb
– Who African Region (@WhoAfro) July 14, 2022
This situation highlights the problem of zoonoses, these diseases transmitted from animals to humans. Increasing urbanization and food insecurity in the DRC promote their spread. In 2023, Peter Musoko, representative of the World Food Program (PAM), alerted: “The DRC is experiencing the largest food crisis in the world, with 25.8 million people in food insecure.” Malnutrition that pushes certain populations to feed on wild animals potentially carrying diseases.
If the link with malaria is confirmed, priority will be to intensify prevention and access to care campaigns. But if a new pathogen is involved, this epidemic could take a real international health challenge. In any case, this health crisis once again illustrates the fragility of health systems in Africa in the face of the emergence of new diseases.
