Health officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been investigating dozens of unexplained deaths in the country, with a severe form of malaria being identified as a likely cause based on lab tests. The illness has killed at least 37 people and sickened 592, with local authorities previously suggesting a death toll exceeding 140. The Africa CDC has been referring to the illness as “Disease X” while awaiting test results.
Lab tests of samples from 51 people suggest that a malaria outbreak may be behind the cases, although the World Health Organization has not confirmed a diagnosis yet. There is also a secondary hypothesis that a viral infection combined with malaria could be responsible for the illnesses. The outbreak is in a rural part of Kwango province, with limited access to laboratory testing.
The most commonly reported symptoms have been fever, headaches, coughing, difficulty breathing, and anemia, with children under 5 making up the majority of cases. Malaria is a leading cause of death in Congo, resulting in more than 24,000 deaths each year. Health officials stress the importance of early detection and treatment of malaria through measures such as mosquito nets, insect repellants, and antimalarial drugs.
The delay in detecting the outbreak has been attributed to limited surveillance and laboratory resources. The WHO and U.S. CDC have been assisting local health authorities in identifying cases. Congo’s health ministry has issued guidelines to prevent the spread of the illness, including avoiding mass gatherings and reporting suspicious illnesses.
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