Within five weeks, an unknown illness has killed 53 people in northwestern Congo, which has been traced back to three children who ate a bat.

The illness first appeared on Jan. 21 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with 431 recorded cases and over 50 deaths as of 10 days ago.

It has now spread across remote villages near the equator line, in countries like Chad, Angola, the United Republic of Tanzania, Nigeria and South Sudan, among others, according to a bulletin from the World Health Organization.

The WHO said the outbreak originated in a village when three children who reportedly ate a bat died within 48 hours of contracting the illness.{ai:summary}<p>An unidentified illness in northwestern Congo has resulted in 53 deaths within five weeks, linked to three children who consumed a bat. The outbreak, first noted on January 21, has led to 431 cases and has spread to remote villages in several African countries.</p><p>The World Health Organization reports that the illness is affecting areas near the equator, including Chad, Angola, Tanzania, Nigeria, and South Sudan. #health</p>

Mysterious illness kills 53 people in Congo, spreading to nearby countries

Loading...