Unknown flu-like disease claims 143 lives in DR Congo
An unidentified illness exhibiting flu-like symptoms, reported on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, has reportedly resulted in 143 fatalities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) between Sunday, November 10, and November 25, 2024. Health officials are conducting investigations to identify the cause of the outbreak. Women and children are reportedly the most affected.
Authorities, including Rémy Saki, the Deputy Governor of Kwango Province, and Apollinaire Yumba, the Provincial Minister of Health, in southwest DRC, have reported that a yet-to-be-identified disease has claimed 143 lives in the Panzi health zone of Kwango Province throughout November.
“A team of epidemiological experts is expected in the region to take samples and identify the problem,” Saki said.
The disease presents flu-like symptoms, including high fever, severe headaches, coughing, and anemia. Women and children appear to be the most seriously impacted, with limited medical resources complicating treatment efforts.
A World Health Organisation (WHO) spokesperson confirmed on December 2 that the agency was alerted to the outbreak last week and is collaborating with DRC’s public health ministry to investigate the cause.
WHO has not released any new updates regarding the unidentified disease.
Provincial officials, including Saki and Yumba, have urged international organizations to provide medical supplies and logistical support.
Officials reported at least 67 deaths in the Panzi health zone on November 25. Local epidemiologists indicated that women and children constitute most of those affected, attributing the heightened impact to weaker immune systems among vulnerable populations.
Cephorien Manzanza, a Civil society leader, described the situation as “extremely worrying,” adding that “Panzi is a rural health zone, so there is a problem with those affected, attributing the heightened impact to weaker immune systems among vulnerable populations.”
The outbreak coincides with other public health challenges in the DRC, including a large-scale Mpox epidemic, which has infected over 47 000 individuals and caused more than 1 000 deaths, according to WHO statistics. The country has also faced repeated outbreaks of diseases such as Ebola, with 12 recorded incidents in recent history.
Residents in Kwango Province have been advised to avoid contact with infected individuals and refrain from handling dead bodies to mitigate potential transmission risks.
Kwango Province, located near the border with Angola, encompasses remote and rural areas, posing logistical barriers to healthcare delivery. The Panzi health zone, the outbreak’s epicenter, has minimal medical infrastructure. Authorities have appealed to national and international partners to address these deficits urgently.
References:
1 Health officials investigate mystery disease in southwest Congo after 143 deaths – AP news – December 3, 2024
Featured image credit: Google, The Watchers
Rishika holds a Master’s in International Studies from Stella Maris College, Chennai, India, where she earned a gold medal, and an MCA from the University of Mysore, Karnataka, India. Previously, she served as a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India. During her tenure, she contributed as a Junior Writer for Europe Monitor on the Global Politics website and as an Assistant Editor for The World This Week. Her work has also been published in The Hindu newspaper, showing her expertise in global affairs. Rishika is also a recipient of the Women Empowerment Award at the district level in Haryana, India, in 2022.
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