Health officials are investigating a mysterious disease outbreak in northwest Congo that has infected nearly 1,100 people and killed at least 60.

Axar.az, citing the Independent, reports that the outbreak, first detected in late January, affected two villages located over 100 miles apart.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has not yet ruled out causes other than malaria, with tests suggesting the possibility of malaria, flu, and typhoid.

The first cases emerged in the village of Boloko after three children ate a bat, which led to their deaths within 48 hours. The hardest-hit village is Bomate, where 98% of the cases and 86% of the deaths have occurred. Malaria tests on 571 patients in the Basankusu area revealed that 54.1% tested positive for the disease. Common symptoms reported include fever, body aches, chills, stiff neck, bleeding nose, cough, vomiting, and diarrhea.

The remote location of the affected villages has delayed medical assistance, and several individuals died before help could reach them. Due to fears of infection, some residents, like Eddy Djoboke and Marthe Biyombe, have fled their villages.