Health officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have issued a warning regarding an unidentified flu-like disease that has led to at least 71 deaths in the southern Kwango province. The fatalities, reported between November 10 and 25 in the Panzi health zone, include 27 individuals who died in hospitals and 44 in the community.
Roger Kamba, Congo’s Minister of Public Health, stressed that it is too soon to pinpoint the cause or mode of transmission of the disease. “It appears to be a respiratory illness, but we are not certain,” he said during a press conference. “We only received the alert a few days ago, and it’s important to understand that in such a short time, we cannot yet identify how it spreads.”
Among the hospital deaths, 10 were linked to the lack of blood transfusions, while 17 succumbed to respiratory complications. Approximately 380 individuals have been affected by the illness, with nearly half of them being children under the age of five. Symptoms include fever, headache, cough, and anemia.
Dr. Diedonne Mwamba, Director General of the National Institute of Public Health, highlighted the region’s vulnerability due to factors like high malnutrition rates—around 40%—and a history of typhoid outbreaks. “We are on maximum alert,” he said. “We must confirm through diagnostics whether this is a respiratory infection.”
The Panzi health zone, located about 435 miles (700 kilometers) from the capital, Kinshasa, presents significant logistical challenges for investigators. Epidemiologists are currently in the region collecting samples, with results expected soon, according to Jean Kaseya, head of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The outbreak comes at a time when the country is already grappling with an ongoing mpox epidemic, which has seen more than 47,000 suspected cases and over 1,000 deaths. This ongoing health crisis is further straining Congo’s already overburdened healthcare system.
As health experts continue their investigations, authorities have urged caution and remain on high alert in response to the mysterious illness.
