Mysterious Flu-like Disease Claims 79 Lives in DR Congo

A mysterious disease with flu-like symptoms has claimed the lives of at least 79 people in the south-western Democratic Republic of Congo, according to the country’s health ministry. The majority of the deceased are reportedly between the ages of 15 and 18, with more than 300 individuals infected.

Patients exhibit symptoms such as fever, headaches, runny noses, coughing, breathing difficulties, and anemia. The hardest-hit area is the Panzi health zone in Kwango Province, prompting the deployment of response teams to manage cases and investigate the illness.

Cephorien Manzanza, a civil society leader, described the situation as increasingly dire due to the rising number of infections and a critical shortage of medicine in the rural health zone. Authorities are urging residents to remain calm, follow preventive measures such as frequent handwashing, avoiding large gatherings, and refraining from handling deceased bodies without professional assistance.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Africa Region has dispatched a team to collect samples for laboratory analysis to identify the disease. Local MP reports indicate that 67 people succumbed to the illness between November 10 and 26, underscoring the urgency of the crisis.

This outbreak comes amid ongoing public health challenges in DR Congo, including a severe mpox epidemic, with 14,500 cases recorded between January and July 2024, and recurring bouts of Ebola.