A mysterious illness outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been identified as an acute respiratory infection complicated by malaria, according to health officials. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported 891 cases and 48 deaths since late October, with hundreds of samples tested. Over 60% of rapid diagnostic tests were positive for malaria, and nearly two-thirds of those tested also showed signs of Plasmodium falciparum.
The outbreak has affected children under 5, who represent nearly half of all cases and 54% of deaths. Women are more likely to be affected than men, possibly due to close interaction with their young children during the illness. The Panzi district in Kwango Province is particularly hard hit, with low vaccination coverage and limited health infrastructure.
The rainy season has raised the risk of malaria spread, while severe malnutrition poses a significant threat to those already affected. The WHO emphasizes that broader risks to the national and global population remain low, but highlights the need to strengthen healthcare access and quality in vulnerable areas like this one.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/27/health/democratic-republic-of-congo-malaria-malnutrition/index.html