Doctors have raised urgent concerns over a deadly and unidentified illness spreading in the northwest of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, causing deaths within hours of symptom onset. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported over 50 fatalities from the mysterious disease, which has a rapid and fatal progression.Since the outbreak began on January 21, there have been 419 recorded cases, with 53 deaths, resulting in a concerning 12.49% fatality rate—far higher than the 3.14% fatality rate of Covid-19. Serge Ngalebato, medical director of Bikoro Hospital, expressed deep concern, noting the short, two-day window between the appearance of symptoms and death.The WHO has warned the outbreak could be linked to a virus transmitted from animals to humans. The initial outbreak occurred in Boloko, where three children ate bat meat and died within 48 hours after showing symptoms of hemorrhagic fever. A second outbreak began in Bomate on February 9, and samples from 13 cases have been sent for testing. While Ebola and Marburg fever have been ruled out, some samples tested positive for malaria. The situation remains dire as health officials work to identify the cause of the illness.