The CDC is closely monitoring an "unknown disease” that has killed dozens in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the agency said in a statement on Monday.

Is a new virus causing a disease outbreak and deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo, or is the cause already known to science?

Reports of a large number of unexplained illnesses and deaths in Equateur province have garnered international attention, likely in part because this region of DRC has had several Ebola outbreaks in recent years.

The United Nations says the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have abducted at least 130 sick and wounded men in two hospitals in a major city in eastern Congo

Rwanda-backed M23 rebels launching an offensive in east Congo abducted at least 130 sick and wounded men from two hospitals in the city of Goma last week, the United Nations said on Monday. M23 fighters raided CBCA Ndosho Hospital and Heal Africa Hospital during the night of February 28,

Despite growing international pressure, the Democratic Republic of Congo is standing firm on its decision not to have direct talks with the M23 rebel group that has made major advances in the east of the country in recent months.

Despite mounting international pressure, the DR Congo remains resolute in its refusal to engage in direct talks with the M23 rebel group, which has made significant territorial gains in eastern DRC in recent months.