In the city of Mbanza Ngungu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), approximately 150 cows have died from an unknown tick-borne disease, according to a report aired on May 24 by Okapi radio station.
The report states that “about 150 cows died from this unknown disease in Mbanza Ngungu. Three months ago, the first cows began showing symptoms of this disease transmitted by ticks, small parasites that feed on the blood of animals and humans.”
According to the radio station, the outbreak was triggered when cattle from neighboring countries were transported through the city at the end of December 2025. Within three months, the affected livestock exhibited severe symptoms including lethargy, blood in the urine, poor coordination, and loss of appetite before death.
The specific tick-borne pathogen responsible for the mass mortality remains unidentified.
