Official announcement from the DRC Ministry of Health or World Health Organization

Unknown Disease with Flu-like Symptoms Kills 143 in DRC's Kwango Province

Dec 3, 2024, 06:56 PM

An unknown disease has claimed the lives of at least 143 people in the Panzi health zone of Kwango province, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), since it began spreading on October 24, 2024. The outbreak has resulted in over 376 cases. The illness is characterized by flu-like symptoms including high fever, severe headaches, cough, nasal discharge, anemia, and breathing difficulties, primarily affecting women and children. The DRC Ministry of Health has dispatched medical experts to investigate the outbreak, and samples are being analyzed to identify the cause. The World Health Organization has been alerted as health officials work to contain the spread and determine appropriate interventions.