Since the end of October, a mysterious illness, with flu-like symptoms, has caused between 67 and 143 deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Since the end of October, a mysterious illness, with symptoms similar to the flu (fever, cough, anemia), has caused up to 143 deaths in the province of Kwango, in the DRC.
- Women and children are most affected, and almost 400 cases have been reported. The origin of the disease remains unknown, but a team of experts is on the way to analyze samples.
- In the meantime, the authorities have introduced preventive measures, recalling Covid-19 barrier gestures.
Since October 24, an unknown disease has caused concern in the province of Kwango, in the west of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The symptoms, similar to those of the flu – fever, headache, cough and breathing difficulties – are accompanied by severe anemia, that is to say an abnormal drop in the level of hemoglobin in the blood. “Between 67 and 143 deaths” were recorded as of December 4, according to the country’s authorities and international news agencies like Reuters And Associated Press. The origin of this new disease remains a mystery.
Women and children are most affected
Appearing in the Panzi hospital, in the city of Bukavu, this unknown pathology has already infected 376 people, mainly women and children. The precarious conditions of the region complicate the situation: “The sick die at home due to lack of treatment”deplore the local authorities. The lack of access to care aggravates a situation where the population, weakened by other recent epidemics such as mpox (or monkey pox), struggles to protect itself.
In response, the government sent a team of epidemiologists to the region to collect samples and analyze the disease. While awaiting the results, the authorities have asked the population to exercise greater caution in order to avoid any contamination: limit gatherings, reinforce hygiene and report any suspicious cases. Instructions that recall the barrier gestures established during the Covid-19 pandemic five years ago.
Statement from DR Congo’s Health Ministry on unidentified illness:
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
Concerning situation in the Panzi health zone, Kwango provinceSince October 24, 2024, a disease of still unknown origin has been spreading in Kwango province, specifically in the Panzi…
— BNO News (@BNOFeed) December 4, 2024
A health crisis under surveillance
This is not the first time that the DRC has faced major health challenges. With more than 39,000 cases of mpox recorded in 2023 (causing more than 1,000 deaths) and a vaccination campaign that is still timid, the country must juggle several fronts. This new disease highlights the shortcomings of an already overburdened health system.
International experts, urgently mobilized, are seeking to identify the pathogen in question. Emerging virus? Resistant bacteria? For the moment, no hypothesis has been ruled out. In this context, collaboration between the Congolese authorities and their international partners will be crucial to avoid uncontrolled spread.
