Mystery Illness in Congo's Kwango Province Kills 143, Primarily Children

Dec 4, 2024, 02:44 AM

An unidentified illness has claimed the lives of at least 143 people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's southwestern province of Kwango since October 24, 2024. The disease presents flu-like symptoms including high fever, severe headaches, nasal discharge, cough, anemia, and respiratory difficulties. The outbreak has primarily affected women and children, with 376 cases reported. Local authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO) are actively investigating the situation, with samples being taken to identify the pathogen. The Congolese Ministry of Health has issued a statement urging calm and advising against gatherings to prevent further spread. The WHO has dispatched a team to the remote area to collect samples for laboratory analysis, and the situation is being closely monitored due to its potential for broader implications. The outbreak has resulted in 76 deaths, with the majority being children over 15, concentrated in the Panzi health zone.