TAKE THE POLL: CLICK HERE
A currently unidentified disease has killed at least 50 people and infected hundreds of others since January, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Office for Africa reported in mid-February.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing multiple health and humanitarian crises, one of which is a currently unknown disease plaguing a northwestern province. At least two outbreak clusters emerged in the start of 2025, with cases rising rapidly, often within days and therefore posing a significant public threat. To-date, at least 419 cases have been identified, with a fatality rate of roughly 10.7%.
Ebola and Marburg disease have been ruled out as the culprits behind the sickness. Local health officials have raised concerns of a severely infectious disease or a possible toxic agent.
What Are The Symptoms?
The disease manifests initially as a fever, chills, headache and body aches, coupled with neck stiffness, cough, abdominal cramps, vomiting, diarrhea and sweating. Almost half of all deaths occurred within 48 hours of the symptoms presenting in the patient.
Swabs from those infected have been sent for laboratory testing, while local and WHO healthcare professionals investigate these ongoing outbreaks in the region. Thus far, no epidemiological links have been found between the two infected zones. (TAKE A POLL: Are You Focused On Improving Your Sleep Habits This Year?)
“The remote geography and limited healthcare infrastructure exacerbate response challenges, with overwhelmed health facilities struggling to manage cases,” the report states. “Despite ongoing response efforts, significant gaps remain, including limited laboratory capacity, unclear transmission dynamics, and weak surveillance.”
How Do You Feel?
Take action by using your voice today. Did you know that lawmakers, business leaders, and even public servants use polling data to inform their policies and practices? These might seem like simple questions, but answering them can have far-reaching impacts on the world around you.
Don’t let your voice be lost in the ether of the Internet! Take control and take back your power today by signing up to take a poll — take all of them if you like!