Investigation into Illness Cluster and Fatalities in Equateur Province

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, health authorities and WHO experts are investigating increased illness and deaths in Equateur province. Since the beginning of 2025, 1,096 cases and 60 deaths have been reported in Basankusu and Bolomba. WHO is providing support, including medical supplies and personnel, to enhance disease surveillance and treatment efforts, amidst challenges posed by geographical distance and healthcare access.

Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, alongside experts from the World Health Organization (WHO), are intensifying their investigation into a recent cluster of illnesses and fatalities in Equateur province. This follows a pattern of escalated disease occurrences, prompting urgent inquiries to ascertain the underlying causes and mobilize the necessary resources to address the situation adequately.

Since early 2025, Equateur province has seen a troubling rise in illness and community deaths. Notably, a recent outbreak in the Basankusu health zone reported 141 new cases without fatalities. Earlier in February, this zone recorded 158 cases, leading to 58 deaths. Additionally, in January, the Bolamba health zone reported 12 illnesses, including 8 deaths.

The ongoing disease surveillance indicates a total of 1,096 individuals affected and 60 deaths across Basankusu and Bolomba. Symptoms reported include fever, headaches, chills, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal manifestations. This alarming situation exacerbates the existing health crisis the country faces, straining medical resources and community resilience.

A national rapid response team from Kinshasa and Equateur, which includes WHO health emergency experts, has been deployed to scrutinize the ongoing situation for unusual disease patterns. The team is enhancing disease monitoring, engaging with community members for insights, and treating prevalent illnesses such as malaria and typhoid fever.

WHO has facilitated the delivery of emergency medical supplies, including testing kits, and established rigorous protocols for disease investigation. Initial tests have ruled out the Ebola and Marburg viruses. Approximately half of the samples tested were positive for malaria, which is common in the area, while further analyses for meningitis are ongoing.

The geographical separation of Basankusu and Bolomba, located 180 kilometers apart and over 300 kilometers from the provincial capital Mbandaka, presents significant challenges to healthcare access. Limited infrastructure adversely affects timely medical interventions, compounding the urgency of the health crisis.

WHO is working closely with local health authorities to bolster investigative and response strategies, having trained over 80 community health workers to identify and report cases. Enhanced testing, early case detection, and reporting are critical for managing present and future health challenges in the region.

The organization remains actively engaged on the ground, collaborating with health officials at all levels to deliver essential medical supplies and coordinate responses aimed at curtailing disease spread within the community.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is currently facing a rising cluster of illnesses and deaths in the Equateur province, prompting investigations by health authorities and WHO experts. Quick responses, enhanced disease surveillance, and community engagement are pivotal in addressing this health crisis. Continued support and infrastructure improvements are necessary to tackle such outbreaks effectively in the future.

Original Source: www.afro.who.int