DR Congo Says It is “On Alert” Over Mystery Flu-Like Disease that Killed Dozens

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has said it is on “Maximum alert” over a disease that has killed dozens of people in just over a month.

The mysterious disease, dubbed “Disease X” has led to 79 deaths, affecting hundreds, particularly children under five. The disease was first detected in late October and the known cases so far have been limited to the Panzi region, around 700 kilometers southeast of the capital, Kinshasa.

“We are on maximum alert, we consider this to be a level of epidemic that we need to monitor”, Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba told the press in Kinshasa. The Congo public health ministry says there have been 394 cases reported so far in the Panzi health zone.

The disease causes flu-like symptoms, like fever, cough, difficulty in breathing, anemia and headaches.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO), has deployed experts to support health authorities in Congo. Investigations into the cause of the undiagnosed disease will commence.

“Our priority is to provide effective support to the affected families and communities. All efforts are underway to identify the cause of the illness, understand its modes of transmission, and ensure appropriate response as swiftly as possible, ” said WHO Regional Director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti.”

The health organization is investigating a respiratory pathogen such as influenza or Covid as a possible cause. Although experts suspect it is airborne, samples are being analyzed at a national laboratory in Kinshasa to determine the cause.

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