Here’s a rewritten version of the article:
“Mysterious Disease Outbreak in Congo Claims 53 Lives within 48 Hours, Worrying Health Officials
A sudden and deadly disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has claimed the lives of more than 50 people, sparking concern among health officials who describe it as a “significant public health threat.”
The outbreak began on January 21 in the village of Boloko, where three children who ate a bat fell ill and died. The children suffered from severe nosebleeds, vomiting blood, fever, and joint pain before their deaths. Since then, four more children from the same village have died, and the illness has spread to the nearby village of Danda.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Africa office, a total of 419 cases have been confirmed, with 53 fatalities reported in Équateur province, a region of rainforest and farmland almost the size of England.
Tests have ruled out Ebola and Marburg viruses, which are known to be carried by bats, but officials have not yet identified the cause of the outbreak. What is alarming is the speed with which the disease is killing its victims – within just 48 hours of symptoms appearing.
“This is what’s really worrying,” said Serge Ngalebato, medical director of Bikoro Hospital in Congo. “The rapid progression of the disease is a major concern.”
Fortunately, the fatality rate appears to be lower than that of Ebola or Marburg, at around 12%. However, experts are concerned about the rise of zoonotic diseases – those that are transmitted from animals to humans through contact with wild animals.
According to the WHO, outbreaks of these diseases have increased by 60% over the past decade, highlighting the need for increased vigilance and measures to prevent such outbreaks.”
