A mysterious illness has claimed 143 lives in a south-west province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to local authorities. The victims exhibited flu-like symptoms, including high fever and severe headaches.
The situation is dire as the number of infected individuals continues to rise, prompting concerns over the country’s ability to respond effectively. In rural areas like Panzi, access to medicine is limited, leading to a significant shortage.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has been alerted to the outbreak and is working with the DRC’s public health ministry to conduct further investigations. The WHO described the situation as extremely worrying and acknowledged that women and children are disproportionately affected by the disease.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/03/unknown-disease-kills-people-south-west-drc-democratic-republic-of-the-congo