Unknown disease has killed more than 50 people in the last five weeks in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
By February 16, 431 cases had been reported and 53 of the deaths were reported.
Organization spokesman Tarik Jasharević describes the epidemic as a significant public health threat. Particularly concerned, the disease has led to death in many cases only 48 hours after the onset of symptoms.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the origin of the disease has been traced to the death of three children under the age of 5 in January in a village called Boloko. Children are said to have eaten a dead bat before becoming ill, writes The Guardian. The symptoms began as fever and fatigue and progressed to nosebleeds and blood vomiting.
In the first wave of the disease, 12 cases of disease reported, eight of which led to death. In February 13, the day was announced about a more serious epidemic in another village. There were 419 cases, 45 of which led to death. The WHO has not found a connection between two epidemics.
The news is updated.