It kills dozens of people in the Democratic Republic of Congo: what do we know about this mysterious disease ?

Democratic Republic of Congo: Mysterious Disease Kills Dozens

Since October 24, a disease of unknown origin has killed between 79 and 143 people (depending on the source) in the southwestern province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. What do we know about this mysterious illness ?

In a press release dated December 4, the Ministry of Public Health of the Democratic Republic of Congo warns: “a disease of unknown origin is raging in the province of Kwango, specifically in the Panzi area (…) To date, this disease has caused the death of 79 people, the majority of whom are children over the age of 15, and has affected 376 people“. Other sources, such as Reuters, report a number of victims twice as high.

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Infected people have symptoms similar to flu symptoms, namely fever, headache, runny nose, cough, difficulty breathing and anemia.

No access to care

As “Panzi is a rural health zone, so there is a problem with the supply of medicines,” civil society leader Cephorien Manzanza told Reuters. Patients are dying at home due to lack of care“.

A team was therefore dispatched to the site by the National Institute of Public Health and the Emergency and Public Health Operations Center. Triple objective:

Ensure immediate care for patients; Take samples; Identify the nature of the disease.

While waiting for the results, local authorities are calling for calm and compliance with preventive measures:

Avoid gatherings; Report any suspected cases; Observe basic hygiene rules (hand washing, etc.).