An unidentified disease with flu-like symptoms has claimed the lives of at least 79 people in the southwestern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Most of the casualties are between the ages of 15 and 18, according to the health ministry.
The outbreak has infected more than 300 people, with patients experiencing symptoms like fever, headaches, runny noses and coughs, breathing difficulties, and anaemia. The response teams have been deployed to Kwango Province, particularly at the Panzi health zone, where the diseases in quite prevalent, to manage cases and investigate the characteristics of the diseases.
An official from the African region of WHO told the BBC that they have “dispatched a team to the remote area to collect samples for lab investigations”. Officials requested the population to remain calm and vigilant.
They have advised the public to practice good hygiene by washing their hands with soap, avoiding large gatherings, and refraining from handling the bodies of the deceased without the supervision of qualified health personnel. A local MP informed Top Congo Radio that approximately 67 people fell ill and died between 10 and 26 November.
“It should be noted that Panzi Hospital is short of medicines to cope with this epidemic. We really need assistance,” said the MP.
The central African country is also grappling with other health crises, including a severe mpox outbreak, with around 14,500 cases reported between January and July this year. In addition, the country has frequently experienced the outbreak of Ebola over the years.
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