Mystery Illness in Congo's Kwango Province Kills 75; 406 Cases Mostly in Children

Dec 8, 2024, 10:11 AM

A mystery flu-like illness has killed at least 75 people, including many children, in the Panzi health zone of Kwango province in southwestern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since October. The World Health Organization (WHO) announced it is deploying experts to investigate the outbreak, which has affected 406 people across nine health areas as of December 5, 2024. The illness presents symptoms such as fever, headache, cough, runny nose, body aches, difficulty breathing, and anemia. Children aged 0–14 years represent 64.3% of cases, with those under five most affected, and females constitute 59.9% of total cases. Cases have been reported in family clusters, suggesting possible household transmission. The WHO has suggested that known diseases such as malaria, pneumonia, influenza, COVID-19, or measles, exacerbated by severe malnutrition, may be responsible. Laboratory tests are underway, but logistical challenges due to the remote location and poor infrastructure are delaying results. The number of affected areas has increased from seven to nine. Neighboring countries, including Honduras, have increased health screenings at their borders as a precautionary measure. An Italian man who recently returned from Congo was hospitalized in Lucca with flu-like symptoms, but authorities have stressed there is no cause for alarm.