New Delhi, Feb. 28 -- A mysterious illness, initially detected in three children who reportedly consumed a bat, has claimed the lives of more than 50 individuals in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over the past five weeks, according to health officials.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported in a bulletin that, as of February 16, there have been 431 cases and 53 fatalities across two outbreaks in remote villages within Equateur province.

"These outbreaks, which have seen a rapid surge in cases within days, present a serious public health risk. The precise cause remains unidentified," stated Tarik Jasarevic, a WHO spokesperson, during a press briefing on February 26. He added that the affected villages have limited healthcar...