Mystery Illness in Congo: What You Should Know
Hey there! 🌟 Have you heard about the mystery illness that’s happening in the Democratic Republic of Congo? Let’s find out what’s going on!
What Happened?
In a village called Boloko, three children ate a bat 🦇 and sadly became very sick. Within 48 hours, they passed away. This was the beginning of a mysterious disease that has now affected over 50 people in northwestern Congo over the past five weeks.
What Are the Symptoms?
People who get sick have symptoms like:
- Fever 🤒
- Vomiting 🤢
- Internal bleeding (bleeding inside the body) 🩸
These symptoms appear quickly, and many people have died within two days of getting sick. That’s what’s really worrying health experts!
Is It Ebola or Something Else?
When people have these symptoms, doctors often think of diseases like Ebola, dengue, Marburg, or yellow fever. But scientists tested samples from the sick people, and it’s NOT any of those diseases!
They even sent samples to the National Institute for Biomedical Research in Kinshasa (the capital city), and the tests were negative for these common hemorrhagic fevers. Some people did test positive for malaria, though.
Why Did This Happen?
Eating wild animals, like bats, can sometimes cause diseases to jump from animals to humans. This is called “zoonotic transmission” (sounds fancy, right? 🧐). It’s one reason why health experts worry about people eating wild animals.
In Africa, there has been a big increase (over 60% in the last decade!) in diseases that spread from animals to humans, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
What Are Experts Doing Now?
Doctors and scientists are working hard to find out what’s causing this mystery illness. They are testing people, studying the symptoms, and trying to stop it from spreading further.
What Can We Learn?
It’s important to be careful about what we eat and to pay attention to health warnings. Washing hands regularly and cooking food properly can help prevent diseases.
Stay Informed!
Keep an eye on the news to learn more about this situation. Remember, knowledge is power! 💪 Stay safe and healthy!
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
