Mystery Disease in Congo May Be Linked to Contaminated Water, WHO Reports

A deadly and mysterious illness that has claimed dozens of lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) may be linked to a poisoned water source, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Possible Causes and Symptoms

The WHO’s head of emergencies, Mike Ryan, stated on Friday that local authorities have “a very strong level of suspicion of a poisoning event related to the poisoning of a water source” in one of the affected villages. While the investigation remains ongoing, experts believe that multiple agents could be contributing to the deaths.

So far, the outbreak has resulted in at least 955 reported cases and 60 deaths across two villages in the northwestern region of the DRC as of 19th February 2025.

Clusters and Investigation

The WHO has identified two separate clusters of the disease located at least 40 miles apart: the Bolomba cluster and the significantly larger Basankusu cluster. However, health officials have not yet established a direct link between the two outbreaks.

Challenges in Response Efforts

Containing the disease remains a significant challenge due to the remote and forested nature of the affected areas, which limits access to healthcare facilities. The WHO has dispatched medical teams to conduct field investigations and provide essential medical supplies.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, while further research is being conducted to determine the exact cause and prevent further fatalities. The possibility of water contamination raises urgent concerns about the safety of local water sources and the need for immediate intervention.

The international community remains on high alert as health experts work to mitigate the risk of a larger outbreak. Local authorities are urging residents to exercise caution and avoid potentially contaminated water sources until further assessments are made.

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