Mysterious illness claims 79 lives in Congo, WHO intervenes
In the south-western part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 79 people have died from a mysterious illness resembling flu. The number of infections has exceeded 300, prompting local doctors to appeal for assistance. WHO experts have arrived on the scene to investigate further.
The authorities of the Democratic Republic of the Congo have reported this enigmatic disease affecting the south-western regions of the country. The illness is characterised by symptoms such as fever, headache, runny nose, cough, breathing difficulties, and rapidly developing anaemia.
According to TVN24, the disease bears a resemblance to the flu. Most of those infected and deceased are young people aged 15 to 18.
The World Health Organization faces a challenge as mysterious disease strikes
The majority of cases have been recorded in the town of Panzi in Kwango province. The authorities have dispatched support teams to assist local doctors and investigate the nature of the disease. Local leaders, such as Cephorien Manzanza, are raising the alarm about the shortage of medicines and appealing for support.
The authorities of the DRC advise residents to wash their hands frequently, avoid gatherings, and refrain from contact with bodies of the deceased without the presence of medical professionals. WHO has sent experts to conduct laboratory tests on samples obtained on-site.
As TVN24 reports, the DRC is also contending with a monkeypox epidemic, with approximately 14,500 cases diagnosed in the first half of 2024. The country has been battling the Ebola virus for years, which further strains the healthcare system.
