CDC says it is monitoring mysterious deadly disease in Congo

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is closely monitoring an unknown disease that has killed dozens in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the agency said in a statement on Tuesday.

"CDC is monitoring the situation closely and engaging with DRC officials on what support the agency can offer," according to an agency spokesperson.

At least 1,318 people have exhibited symptoms of the mysterious malady and 53 people have died from the disease as of Feb. 25, the World Health Organization said Tuesday in its most recent update.

On Feb. 27, the WHO reported that 60 people had died from the disease and that 1,096 people had been sickened. The WHO did not explain the discrepancy in the number of deaths it reported last week.

The WHO said that the last known death from the disease occurred on Feb. 22.

"Deaths have occurred in all age groups, but adolescents and young adults, particularly males, appeared to be disproportionately affected in the initial cluster reported," the WHO said.

The agency added that the progression of the disease appears to be fast, "with a median time from onset of symptoms to death of one day."

In its updated statement, the WHO said it has not reached definitive answers on what is causing the deadly outbreak, but added its "working hypotheses include chemical poisoning or a rapid onset of bacterial meningitis cluster" against the context that many people were already experiencing illnesses like malaria that have made them more susceptible.

"Approximately 50% of malaria tests performed on these cases tested positive for malaria," the WHO said.

This is the third time in the past few months officials have identified increases in illness and deaths in a different area of Congo, triggering "follow-up investigations to confirm the cause and provide needed support," the WHO said in a statement on Thursday.

For example, there was a separate report of an unknown disease in December of last year in the central African country that was later attributed to illnesses from malaria and respiratory illnesses.

The symptoms for this latest cluster of disease include fever, headache, chills, sweating, stiff neck, muscle aches, multiple joint pain and body aches, a runny or bleeding from the nose, cough, vomiting and diarrhea, the WHO said.

Initial lab tests have been negative for Ebola and Marburg virus disease, the WHO said.

Tests continue to be carried out for meningitis, and WHO officials said they are also looking into food and water contamination.

The WHO said it has delivered emergency medical supplies, including testing kits and "developed detailed protocols to enhance disease investigation."

"The WHO is supporting the local health authorities reinforce investigation and response measures, with more than 80 community health workers trained to detect and report cases and deaths," the organization said.