A significant outbreak of an unidentified flu-like illness (sometimes referred to as "Disease X"[2]) began in October 2024 in the southwestern region of Kwango Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The outbreak, primarily in the Panzi rural health zone, had resulted in at least 71 and up to 143 fatalities by 3 December and prompted investigation by local and international health organizations.[3][4] On 5 December, the disease was reported as having spread to Katenda, also in the Kwango Province.[5]
| 2024 Kwango province disease outbreak | |
|---|---|
_-_Kwango.svg) Location of the impacted province, in red | |
| Disease | Unidentified |
| Location | Kwango, Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Dates | 24 October 2024[1] – ongoing |
Deaths | 67–143 |
Outbreak
editThe first known case was identified on 24 October 2024,[1] with the first recorded fatality recorded on 10 November 2024.[5] Central authorities were only first notified of the outbreak on 1 December.[1]
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. Recorded cases are most common in children under the age of five, and slightly more common in women rather than men.[1] Most of the dead are reported to be within 15-18 years old.[3][5][6]
Symptoms
editThe unidentified flu-like disease is currently showing high fever and severe headaches according to health officials Rémy Saki and Apollinaire Yumba.[7] A Panzi resident, Claude Niongo, told the Associated Press that his seven year old daughter and wife had died from this unknown disease. He stated "We do not know the cause but I only noticed high fevers, vomiting... and then death," while also reporting that “Now, the authorities are talking to us about an epidemic but in the meantime, there is a problem of care (and) people are dying."[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.[3][4] The health ministry 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.[8] Due to the rural nature of the province, the disease samples had to be taken to a laboratory 500 kilometers away, delaying results.[5]
The World Health Organization (WHO) has been alerted to the outbreak, and stated that it was working with the health officials of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to make further investigations as to what the unknown flu-like illness is.[6] The WHO is also sending teams to collect samples.[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.[4][10]
Hong Kong tightened health screenings at airports and at other boundary control points in response to the outbreak.[11] Italy's Ministry of Health asked to its border offices to pay attention to people coming from the DRC, especially in ports and airports.[12]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d "DRC Expects Diagnosis Of 'Disease X' By Weekend; Mpox Continues To Spread - Health Policy Watch". December 5, 2024.
- ^ Janice Kew; Jason Gale. "Mystery Flu-Like 'Disease X' Investigated After Killing 79 in Congo". Bloomberg News.
- ^ a b c "Health officials investigate mystery disease in southwest Congo after 143 deaths". AP News. 2024-12-03. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
- ^ a b c "Unknown disease in DRC leaves dozens dead, officials say". euronews. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
- ^ a b c d e Kamale, Jean-Yves; Pronczuk, Monika (5 December 2024). "Congo government says it's 'on alert' over mystery flu-like disease that killed dozens". Associated Press. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
- ^ a b "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.
- ^ "Mysterious Illness Claims Lives in Congo's Kwango Province". Devdiscourse. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
- ^ "x.com".
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Hong Kong Enhances Health Checks Amid DRC Disease Outbreak with 79 Deaths and 300 Infections Reported". www.bastillepost.com. December 5, 2024.
- ^ "Virus misterioso in Congo, l'Italia controlla gli scali - Medicina - Ansa.it". Agenzia ANSA. December 6, 2024.