The interval between the onset of symptoms and death has been 48 hours in the majority of cases, and “that’s what’s really worrying,” Serge Ngalebato, medical director of Bikoro Hospital, a regional monitoring center, told The Associated Press.

The latest disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo began on Jan. 21, and 419 cases have been recorded including 53 deaths.

According to the WHO’s Africa office, the first outbreak in the town of Boloko began after three children ate a bat and died within 48 hours following hemorrhagic fever symptoms.

  • Squorlple@lemmy.world
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    1 day ago

    the first outbreak in the town of Boloko began after three children ate a bat

    You’re kidding me

      • robbinhood@lemmy.world
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        1 day ago

        there have been legitimate concerns that the ongoing violence in the DRC could result in lab leaks and whatnot. I believe there are or at least once were some small lab outputs in DRC bush set up to help with monitoring for diseases.

      • robbinhood@lemmy.world
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        1 day ago

        Economic desperation and lack of education. Think back to how dumb humans were just like 400 years ago, which is what 20 generations or something? Essentially no grasp of diseases in the modern sense. We are biologically 99.9999% or whatever the same as them.

        Ebola spread during that ~2015 outbreak in large part because local customs meant washing the dead and otherwise being in close physical contact. Sadly, people simply didn’t know better.

        • Voroxpete
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          19 hours ago

          Also, this is exactly why dismantling USAID was such a phenomenally stupid idea.

          You want more plagues? This is how you get more plagues.