DR Congo Intensifies Investigation into Illness Cluster and Community Deaths in Equateur Province
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is investigating a surge in illnesses and community deaths in Equateur province, particularly in the Basankusu and Bolomba health zones. Efforts by health authorities and WHO aim to determine the causes of these outbreaks. Increased disease surveillance, logistical support, and medical resources are being deployed as responses to this urgent health situation, impacting the local healthcare system significantly.
Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and World Health Organization (WHO) experts are intensifying investigations into a recent cluster of illnesses and unexplained community deaths in Equateur province. Recent months have seen a threefold increase in illness and mortality in various regions, prompting critical follow-up measures to identify the underlying causes and provide necessary assistance.
Since early 2025, Equateur province has experienced several illness outbreaks and community deaths. The latest reported cluster occurred in the Basankusu health zone, where 141 individuals became ill last week, though no fatalities were recorded. Earlier in February, the same area reported 158 illness cases alongside 58 deaths. In January, the Bolamba health zone also reported 12 ill individuals, with 8 resulting in fatalities.
In total, disease surveillance has indicated 1,096 individuals have fallen ill, with 60 deaths across Basankusu and Bolomba. Recorded symptoms include fever, headache, chills, stiff neck, body aches, vomiting, and diarrhea, fitting a broad case definition utilized by health officials. These concurrent crises, amidst multiple outbreaks, are significantly straining the healthcare system and the overall population of the DRC.
Responding to the recent illness cluster, a national rapid response team consisting of WHO health emergency experts was dispatched to Basankusu and Bolomba. Their objective is to investigate potential unusual patterns concerning the outbreak. Increased surveillance, community interviews, and treatment for prevalent diseases such as malaria and typhoid fever are all part of this comprehensive response.
WHO has provided emergency medical supplies, including testing kits, as well as developed protocols to enhance investigative measures. Initial laboratory tests confirmed negative results for Ebola and Marburg virus diseases, while approximately 50% of tested samples indicated malaria, which is endemic to the region. Further tests for meningitis and environmental contamination analysis are planned, with samples sent to the national reference laboratory in Kinshasa for comprehensive testing.
Geographically, Basankusu and Bolomba are situated 180 kilometers apart, over 300 kilometers from Mbandaka, the provincial capital. This remoteness restricts access to essential healthcare services, including testing and treatment, compounded by poor road and telecommunication infrastructure. WHO is assisting local health authorities to strengthen investigation capabilities, with over 80 community health workers trained to detect and report cases and deaths.
A concerted effort to enhance testing, early detection, and reporting is crucial, not only for the current situation but also for future public health incidents. WHO’s presence on the ground supports health workers, ensuring close collaboration with regional, provincial, and national health authorities to deliver lifesaving medical supplies and coordinate responses to control the spread of illness and manage other outbreaks in the region.
In conclusion, health officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are actively investigating a concerning increase in illness and community deaths in Equateur province. With support from the WHO, significant efforts are being made to identify the causes of these outbreaks and to provide essential healthcare resources. Improved disease surveillance, community engagement, and targeted treatment are vital to effectively address the current health crisis and prevent future occurrences.
Original Source: www.afro.who.int
