60 Dead in Congo — Mystery Illness After Kids Eat Bat

A mysterious illness is sweeping through northwestern Congo, killing 60 people within days of symptoms appearing. Health officials are scrambling to determine whether this deadly outbreak is caused by chemical poisoning, bacterial meningitis, or a new disease linked to children who ate a bat.

A Fast-Spreading and Fatal Illness

The outbreak was first identified when three children in the village of Boloko ate a bat and died within 48 hours. Soon after, dozens of others in the area fell ill, experiencing fever, vomiting, and internal bleeding. The interval between the onset of symptoms and death has been just 48 hours in most cases, a fact that has alarmed medical experts.

These "hemorrhagic fever" symptoms are typically linked to viruses such as Ebola, dengue, Marburg, and yellow fever, the Associated Press reported. However, tests on more than a dozen samples have ruled out these known diseases, leaving health officials scrambling for answers.

Since the outbreak began on Jan. 21, 2025, there have been 1,096 recorded cases and 60 confirmed deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) and local doctors on the ground continue to investigate, but the speed and severity of the illness have raised serious concerns.

Is a Bat to Blame?

One of the leading theories behind the outbreak is that the illness stems from zoonotic transmission — meaning the bat the children ate may have carried a dangerous virus or bacteria. Similar diseases, such as Ebola and Marburg virus, have been linked to bat consumption in the past. However, health officials have not yet identified the exact cause.

There have long been concerns about diseases jumping from animals to humans in regions where wild animals are commonly eaten. The WHO reported that the number of such outbreaks in Africa has surged by more than 60% in the last decade, highlighting the growing risk of zoonotic diseases. With this latest outbreak, experts are once again investigating whether bushmeat consumption could be to blame.

Other Possible Causes: Poisoning or Meningitis?

While the bat consumption theory is being investigated, experts are also considering chemical poisoning. Some believe that contaminated water or food might be responsible for the sudden deaths. Health officials are also investigating bacterial meningitis, a fast-acting infection that can cause fever, seizures, and death within hours, as a potential cause.

The latest symptoms reported by the WHO in this outbreak now include fever, headache, chills, sweating, stiff neck, muscle and joint pain, nasal bleeding, cough, vomiting, and diarrhea. With no clear answers yet, health officials are racing to determine the exact cause before the outbreak worsens.

Health Officials on High Alert

The WHO has sent emergency medical supplies, including testing kits, and has implemented strict protocols to strengthen disease investigations. To help contain the outbreak, more than 80 community health workers have been trained to identify and report cases quickly.

Additionally, the CDC has confirmed it is closely monitoring the outbreak and working with local authorities to determine the cause and contain the disease. With more than 1,000 people reportedly infected, officials are racing against time to prevent further deaths.

As the investigation continues, the people of Congo remain on edge, fearing that what started with three children eating a bat could turn into a full-scale epidemic.

References: A mystery illness in Congo has killed more than 50 people hours after they felt sick | CDC says it is monitoring mysterious deadly disease in Congo