Health experts warn the UK must remain vigilant as a mystery illness with hemorrhagic fever symptoms in the Democratic Republic of Congo has caused over 50 deaths in five weeks. Testing has ruled out known viruses like Ebola and Marburg, and the World Health Organization is involved in investigating the outbreak, starting from children who consumed a bat.
Health experts are urging vigilance in the UK following a mystery illness outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where over 53 fatalities have been recorded. This illness presents hemorrhagic fever-like symptoms and has affected 419 individuals in northwestern Congo over the past five weeks, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). Symptoms have appeared shortly after infection, leading to rapid deterioration.
Dr. Zania Stamataki, an Associate Professor in Viral Immunology at the University of Birmingham, highlighted the potential for viral infections to remain dormant, emphasizing the need for awareness. She stated, “Infections know no borders and do not respect country lines… we need to remain vigilant and watch for symptoms.” The mortality rate may be exacerbated by malnutrition and pre-existing health conditions among the population.
Local healthcare professionals have reported symptoms consistent with hemorrhagic fevers, such as fever, vomiting, and severe internal bleeding, which are commonly associated with viruses like Ebola, dengue, and Marburg. Current testing has excluded these known viruses, prompting collaboration with the WHO to investigate the outbreak’s origins and transmission methods. An early chain of infection is suspected following the consumption of a bat by children in Boloko, where the outbreak initially occurred.
The outbreak follows a previous incident late last year that was linked to malaria and malnutrition. Dr. Stamataki warned about the likelihood of further cases arising due to current uncertainties surrounding infection transmission. Isolation of patients and travel restrictions in affected areas are necessary to control the spread, she added.
Given the possibility of a bat-related virus, Dr. Stamataki noted the lack of existing immunity among humans to such pathogens, posing a significant public health risk. Dr. Amanda Rojek from the Pandemic Sciences Institute also expressed reassurance that Ebola and Marburg tests had shown negative results, indicating that the outbreak may involve multiple contributing factors or zoonotic diseases that could arise from animal consumption.
Efforts are underway to identify interlinked cases and understand how environmental exposure or infectious diseases may be influencing this outbreak. The involvement of local health authorities is critical in managing and addressing the crisis effectively. The UK Health Security Agency has been contacted for further comments regarding precautions and responses to the situation.
In summary, health authorities are calling for increased vigilance in the UK due to a concerning outbreak of a mystery illness in the DRC that has resulted in numerous fatalities. The origins and transmission of this illness remain under investigation, with symptoms suggesting potential zoonotic disease involvement. Experts emphasize the necessity of monitoring symptoms and implementing careful responses to prevent further spread.
Original Source: www.independent.co.uk
