A mysterious flu-like disease has claimed the lives of at least 79 people in south-western Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), according to the country’s health ministry. The majority of those who died are between the ages of 15 and 18.
Over 300 infected individuals, showing symptoms such as fever, headaches, runny noses, coughs, breathing difficulties, and anaemia, have been reported. Response teams have been dispatched to Kwango Province’s Panzi health zone to manage cases and investigate the disease’s nature.
The situation is worrying, with the number of infected people rising. Civil society leader Symphorien Manzanza expressed concerns over the lack of medicine supply in rural areas like Panzi. A World Health Organisation (WHO) Africa region official has sent a team to collect samples for lab investigations.
Authorities have urged the population to remain calm and vigilant, emphasizing hand washing with soap, avoiding mass gatherings, and respecting deceased bodies only by qualified health personnel. The local MP appealed for medicine assistance, highlighting that Panzi hospital is severely short-staffed to cope with the epidemic.
This is not the first time DR Congo has faced a severe outbreak of mpox or Ebola; both diseases have caused significant cases in recent years.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y83ejz7eeo