Democratic Republic of the Congo Intensifies Investigation into Health Crisis in Equateur Province
Health officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are investigating rising illnesses and deaths in Equateur province. The latest outbreak reported 141 cases in Basankusu. Effective surveillance and rapid response measures are being employed, while WHO supports healthcare efforts amid ongoing challenges in the region.
Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), are intensifying their investigation into a series of illnesses and community deaths in the Equateur province. Recent disease surveillance has recorded a concerning rise in illness and mortality across several regions, prompting immediate follow-up investigations to identify the causes and provide necessary support.
Since the start of 2025, Equateur province has witnessed multiple health crises, with the latest cluster reported in the Basankusu health zone. Last week, 141 individuals presented with illness, though no fatalities occurred. In February, the same zone recorded 158 cases of illness, resulting in 58 deaths, while the Bolamba health zone had reported 12 illnesses, including eight deaths in January.
Disease surveillance has reported a total of 1,096 individuals affected and 60 deaths in the relevant health zones, displaying a range of symptoms including fever, headache, muscular pain, and gastrointestinal issues. The DRC is currently grappling with several outbreaks, which are further straining the healthcare system and local communities.
In response to this health crisis, a national rapid response team from Kinshasa, which includes WHO health emergency experts, has been deployed to Basankusu and Bolomba. This team is conducting comprehensive investigations to determine if an unusual pattern is present and is also administering treatments for conditions such as malaria and typhoid fever.
WHO has provided emergency medical supplies and testing kits, establishing detailed protocols to enhance disease investigation efforts. Initial laboratory results have excluded Ebola and Marburg virus diseases, with around half of the samples showing positive for malaria, a common ailment in the region, while further tests for meningitis are ongoing.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is facing significant health challenges, particularly in the Equateur province, where a rise in illnesses and community deaths has been observed. With comprehensive investigations underway by health authorities and WHO, efforts are being made to identify the cause of these illnesses and provide timely support to the affected communities. Continued testing, disease surveillance, and healthcare provision remain critical to addressing the ongoing health crisis.
Original Source: www.afro.who.int
