2024 Kwango province disease outbreak
Beginning in November 2024, health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo reported a significant outbreak of an unidentified flu-like illness in the southwestern region of Kwango Province. The outbreak, primarily in the Panzi rural health zone, resulted in 143 fatalities and prompted investigation by local and international health organizations.[1][2][3]
| 2024 Kwango province disease outbreak | |
|---|---|
_-_Kwango.svg) Location of the impacted province, in red | |
| Disease | Unidentified |
| Location | Kwango, Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Dates | 10 November 2024 – ongoing |
Deaths | 67–143 |
Outbreak
editThe first recorded fatality from the disease outbreak was recorded on 10 November 2024. According to provincial authorities, including Deputy Provincial Governor Rémy Saki, the death toll ranged from 67 to 143 individuals up to 25 November, several of whom died in their homes due to lack of medical care. Those afflicted with the unidentified illness suffered from several flu-like symptoms, including severe headache, cough, high fever, and nausea, with the addition of anemia. Women and children were reported to be the most severely impacted by the infection, while at the same time most of the dead are reported to be within 15-18 years old.[1][4][5]
Response
editKwango health minister Apollinaire Yumba implemented preliminary containment measures, including advising residents to avoid contact with deceased individuals to prevent potential transmission. Local authorities requested additional medical supplies from the international community.[1][6] The health ministry they warned people not to go to mass gatherings, report any suspected cases or unusual deaths, and to maintain basic hygiene and not to handle deceased bodies, they also stated the reason of the mission is to ensure immediate care, collect samples for the laboratory and to conduct deep investigations to identify the nature of the disease.[7]
The World Health Organization (WHO) has been alerted of this virus, and stated that it was working with the health officials of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to make further investigations in what this unknown flu-like virus is.[8] The (WHO) is also sending teams to collect samples also, and spoke to an official wanting anonymity because he was not allowed to speak to the media.[9] The CDC of Africa also responded and said that they are investigating with the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on this issue.[6][10]
Virology
editThe unknown flu-like virus is current showing high fever and severe headaches according to health officials Remy Saki and Apollinaire Yumba.[11]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Health officials investigate mystery disease in southwest Congo after 143 deaths". AP News. 2024-12-03. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
- ^ "Unknown disease in DRC leaves dozens dead, officials say". euronews. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
- ^ "BNO News".
- ^ "Unknown disease kills 143 people in south-west DRC, local authorities say". The Guardian. 2024-12-03. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
- ^ "DR Congo unknown disease kills 79 people". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
- ^ a b "Unknown disease in DRC leaves dozens dead, officials say". euronews. 2024-12-03. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
- ^ "BNO News".
- ^ "Unknown disease kills 143 people in south-west DRC, local authorities say". The Guardian. Reuters. 2024-12-03. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
- ^ "Health officials investigate mystery disease in southwest Congo after 143 deaths". AP News. 2024-12-03. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
- ^ Reporter, Natalie Venegas Weekend (2024-12-03). "Congo reports dozens dead from unknown disease". Newsweek. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
- ^ "Mysterious Illness Claims Lives in Congo's Kwango Province | Health". Devdiscourse. Retrieved 2024-12-03.