A Flu-Like Disease Kills Dozens in Congo, Investigation Underway

By JEAN-YVES KAMALE, The Associated Press

Posted December 4, 2024 9:25 am, Updated December 4, 2024 11:58 am

1 min read

A flu-like disease that has killed dozens of people over two weeks is being investigated in southwestern Congo, local authorities said.

The deaths were recorded between Nov. 10 and Nov. 25 in the Panzi health zone of Kwango province. Symptoms include fever, headache, cough and anemia, provincial health minister Apollinaire Yumba told reporters over the weekend.

The deputy provincial governor, Rémy Saki, told The Associated Press on Tuesday that between 67 and 143 people had died.

“A team of epidemiological experts is expected in the region to take samples and identify the problem,” he added.

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Yumba advised the population to exercise caution and refrain from contact with dead bodies to avoid contamination. He called on national and international partners to send medical supplies to deal with the health crisis.

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Congo is already plagued by the mpox epidemic, with more than 47,000 suspected cases and over 1,000 suspected deaths from the disease in the Central African country, according to the World Health Organization.

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WHO is aware of the unidentified disease and has a team on the ground working with local health services to collect samples, according to an organization employee who spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to talk to the media.

Conclusion

The investigation into the unidentified disease in Congo is ongoing, and it is essential to monitor the situation closely to prevent further spread of the disease. The World Health Organization has taken steps to address the crisis, and it is crucial to continue working together to combat this public health threat.

FAQs

Q: What is the cause of the disease?
A: The cause of the disease is currently unknown, and it is under investigation.

Q: How many people have died from the disease?
A: According to the deputy provincial governor, between 67 and 143 people have died from the disease.

Q: What are the symptoms of the disease?
A: The symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, cough, and anemia.

Q: What is being done to address the crisis?
A: A team of epidemiological experts is expected in the region to take samples and identify the problem. The World Health Organization has also sent a team to the region to work with local health services to collect samples.