Mysterious disease kills over 50 people in DR Congo

At least 50 people have died from an unknown disease in northwest Democratic Republic of the Congo, DRC.

Local authorities reported on Monday that over 943 cases of fever of unknown origin have been identified in Basankusu in the DRC’s Equateur Province since February 9, with 52 fatalities.

Given the number of identified cases and deaths, the mortality rate stands at 5.5 per cent, according to Actualite news reported.

The affected people experienced symptoms including fever, chills, headaches, joint pain and others.

According to the report, about 55 per cent of the people affected by the disease tested positive for malaria.

The report added that the possibility of another Ebola outbreak has been ruled out.