World Health Organization officials said the outbreak appeared to originate from a village where three children died after reportedly eating a bat carcass.

A fatal and unknown illness has rapidly spread in northwestern Congo, causing over 50 deaths. Victims die within 48 hours of symptom onset. The outbreak began on January 21 in Boloko after children ate a bat.

An unknown illness first discovered in three children who ate a bat has rapidly killed more than 50 people in northwestern Congo over the past five weeks, health experts say.