The National Institute of Public Health in the Democratic Republic of Congo announced late Monday that a previously unidentified illness, which claimed the lives of over 50 people and infected hundreds in the country’s northwest, has been confirmed as malaria.
According to the institute, at least 943 people have been infected since the beginning of the year in the Équateur Province, with 52 deaths reported.
Symptoms included fever, fatigue, vomiting, and weight loss.
Health officials initially suspected either malaria or food poisoning, but laboratory testing of samples has now confirmed malaria as the cause.
Christian Ngando, coordinator at the National Institute of Public Health, told reporters by phone that the lab results conclusively identified malaria, though additional tests are still underway on water, food, and beverage samples sent abroad to rule out any possible contamination or poisoning.
A separate outbreak of an unidentified illness occurred in December, which was later also confirmed to be malaria, underscoring the persistent public health challenge the disease poses in the region.
Also Read: Eid Al-Fitr 2025 Holidays in Saudi Arabia: When Does the Celebration Begin?
