AP: Bacteria appears to be behind mysterious outbreak in Liberia
“A contagious bacterial infection appears to be the cause of at least some cases in a mysterious outbreak in Liberia, U.S. health officials said Monday. The bacteria can cause meningitis, a dangerous brain infection, as well as blood infections. The country has reported 31 illnesses, including 13 deaths…” (Stobbe, 5/9).

Newsweek: U.S. Officials Say Mystery Liberia Outbreak May Be Meningitis
“…Liberian health authorities quickly ruled out a return of Ebola, the virus that killed more than 11,000 people across three West African countries between 2014 and 2016, but requested assistance from global health bodies in determining the cause of the outbreak…” (Gaffey, 5/9).

Reuters: Mystery illness in Liberia appears to be meningitis: minister
“Medical samples from four of the victims of a disease in Liberia that initially baffled scientists have tested positive for a type of meningitis, the minister of health said on Monday…” (Giahuye/Farge/Heinrich, 5/8).

Science: Liberian mystery disease may be solved
“…The disease spreads through close contact such as kissing and often causes devastating epidemics across what is known as the meningitis belt stretching across Africa. But it is unfamiliar in Liberia…” (Kupferschmidt, 5/8).