A mysterious illness has been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), killing 79 people and sickening over 376. The disease first appeared on October 24 in the southwestern part of the country.
Health officials are investigating the source of the illness, with nearly 400 cases recorded since its discovery. Patients have been experiencing flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, coughing, and difficulty breathing. Anemia has also been reported as a symptom.
According to Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, professor of medicine and infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, the high mortality rate is striking, with 21% of patients dying from the illness. Most cases have occurred in children under 5 years old, with 17 deaths reported so far.
Dr. William Schaffner, professor of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, said that global surveillance is working to detect outbreaks like this one. However, he noted that limited testing and weak lab infrastructure can make it difficult to confirm the diagnosis.
The DRC’s ongoing outbreak of mpox, as well as continued conflict in the country, may have hindered information from reaching national or global health agencies quickly. Schaffner emphasized the importance of investigating the origins of the illness and being prepared for potential spread to other countries.
Laboratory test results are expected on Friday or Saturday, which will help confirm the characteristics of the disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) is working with officials in the DRC to investigate the source of the illness.
As the investigation continues, health experts warn that the world’s interconnectedness makes it crucial to monitor every signal, as an infection can spread quickly across borders.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/mysterious-illness-kills-79-sickens-376-congo/story?id=116520221