Mystery illness in DRC claims 143 lives, hundreds infected
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 143 people have died from an unknown illness resembling the flu, Reuters reported on Friday. The number of infected individuals is nearing 400, with more than half being young children under the age of five.
The first case of the disease, which presents symptoms similar to the flu—fever, headaches, a runny nose, along with breathing difficulties and anemia—was reported on October 24. However, information about the illness only reached the appropriate government agencies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo last Sunday.
The majority of the disease cases, quickly named "Disease X" by the media, have been recorded in the Panzi health region of Kwango province. Authorities have dispatched support teams to aid local doctors and investigate the nature of the illness. The WHO is also providing support to the DRC.
Jean Kaseya, Director-General of the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), reported in the agency's weekly communication that at least 376 cases involving fever, headaches, a runny nose, as well as breathing difficulties and anemia, have been documented since October 24. While the organization reports 79 deaths, local officials informed Reuters on Friday that at least 143 people have died.
Flu, malaria, coronavirus, or a new disease?
The WHO advises against calling the disease "unidentified," preferring the term "undiagnosed." They assert that it is unclear what we are facing until laboratory results are available. The cause of the illness could potentially be a common, known pathogen.
According to WHO reports, doctors will also conduct tests for the flu, as the region is currently experiencing the peak of flu season, as well as for coronavirus, malaria, and measles. It is possible that "Disease X" impacting this region of the DRC is one of these known diseases. However, its rapid spread and high mortality rate may be due to malnutrition, which affects about 40% of the residents in this area.
"Disease X" is not the only threat facing the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The country has been struggling for months to control the rising number of mpox cases—monkeypox. Nearly 48,000 cases and 1,200 deaths have been recorded.
Source: reuters.com, washingtonpost.com
