Investigation Intensifies in DRC’s Equateur Province Amid Cluster of Illnesses and Deaths

In Equateur province, DRC, health officials and WHO experts are investigating a surge in illnesses and deaths. Recent reports indicate significant clusters in the Basankusu and Bolomba health zones, triggering enhanced surveillance and community engagement. Initial tests have ruled out Ebola and Marburg but have identified malaria. Access to healthcare remains a challenge due to geographical isolation and poor infrastructure, prompting WHO to train local health workers for improved case detection and reporting.

Health officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, alongside experts from the World Health Organization (WHO), are intensifying their investigation of a recent cluster of illnesses and community fatalities in Equateur province. This surge in disease has prompted increased surveillance as authorities strive to ascertain the root cause and necessary interventions.

Since early 2025, Equateur province has reported a troubling rise in illnesses and deaths attributed to various health crises. Specifically, the Basankusu health zone documented 141 new cases last week without any fatalities, while earlier reports indicated 158 cases and 58 deaths in February in the same zone, and 12 illnesses with 8 deaths in Bolamba health zone in January.

Altogether, 1,096 individuals have been reported sick, with 60 fatalities from both Basankusu and Bolomba zones, presenting symptoms that include fever, headache, chills, and gastrointestinal distress. The existing health crises, which overwhelm the healthcare system, necessitate urgent investigation and response.

A rapid response team from Kinshasa, along with WHO health emergency experts, has been dispatched to the afflicted areas. Their priorities include enhancing disease surveillance, engaging with community members for insights, and providing essential treatments for malaria, typhoid fever, and meningitis.

WHO has supplied emergency medical kits and established protocols for effective disease investigation. Initial laboratory results have excluded Ebola and Marburg viruses, while testing has shown malaria, prevalent in the area, in approximately half of the samples. Additional assessments for meningitis, as well as food and environmental testing, will be conducted to identify possible contamination sources.

The geographical distance between Basankusu and Bolomba—approximately 180 kilometers—and their inaccessibility from Mbandaka creates substantial barriers to healthcare access. Poor infrastructure further complicates timely interventions and treatment efforts within the health zones affected.

In response, WHO is supporting local health authorities by training over 80 community health workers to detect and report cases. It is imperative to upgrade the investigation and response mechanisms not only to handle the current health crisis but also to prepare for potential future outbreaks.

The WHO remains dedicated to providing support to health workers, ensuring the distribution of life-saving medical supplies, and collaborating with health authorities at all levels to combat the continued spread of illness.

The ongoing investigation into the cluster of illnesses and deaths in Equateur province, DRC, underscores the complexities of managing public health in remote areas. The multifaceted approach by health authorities and WHO is aimed at ensuring effective disease surveillance, treatment, and community awareness to mitigate the impact. Continued efforts are vital for improving healthcare access and preparedness for future health crises.

Original Source: www.afro.who.int