Mysterious illness claims lives in Congo, sparking health fears
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 143 people have already died from an unknown illness resembling the flu, Reuters reported on Friday. The number of infected individuals is nearing 400, with over half of the afflicted being young children under five years old.
The first case of the disease, which presents symptoms very similar to the flu—such as fever, headaches, runny nose, breathing difficulties, and anaemia—was reported on 24 October. However, information about it only reached the relevant government agencies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo last Sunday.
The highest number of disease 'X' cases, as it was swiftly named by the media, has been recorded in the Panzi health region in the province of Kwango. Authorities have dispatched support teams to the area to assist local doctors and investigate the nature of the illness. The WHO is also extending its support to the DRC.
According to Jean Kaseya, Director-General of the African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), in the agency's weekly communication, at least 376 cases of individuals exhibiting fever, headaches, runny nose, breathing difficulties, and anaemia have been reported since 24 October. According to the organisation, 79 people have died from it. However, local officials told Reuters on Friday that at least 143 people have passed away.
Flu, malaria, coronavirus, or a new disease?
The WHO advises against calling the disease "unidentified" and instead using the term "undiagnosed." It maintains that until laboratory results are available, it is unclear what the illness might be, suggesting the cause could be a common, known pathogen.
Doctors will therefore also carry out tests for the flu, as the WHO reports that the region is currently experiencing the peak of the flu season, as well as for coronavirus, malaria, and measles. It is possible that 'Disease X' affecting this region of the DRC may be one of these known illnesses. However, it is spreading rapidly and causing fatalities due to malnutrition, affecting about 40% of the residents in this area.
'Disease X' is not the only threat to the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The country has been grappling for many months with a rise in mpox cases—monkeypox. Nearly 48,000 cases of this disease and 1,200 deaths have been recorded in the country.
Source: reuters.com, washingtonpost.com
