Unknown disease with flu-like symptoms kills almost 150 sparking pandemic fears

[Sly Saint]

Health officials have raised the alarm after an unknown disease with flu-like symptoms killed nearly 150 people since first being detected.

Deaths have been reported Kwango province and the Panzi health zone in the southwest of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Remy Saki, the deputy governor of the province said samples are being collected and analysed in a bid to identify the disease behind the outbreak.

The initial report of 143 deaths was recorded between November 10 and November 25. Symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, cough and anaemia, health minister Apollinaire Yumba told reporters over the weekend.

Health officials said the development was "extremely worrying" and the number of deaths is rapidly increasing. There were only 67 reported deaths from the mystery disease on November 25. Many patients who have caught the disease are reportedly dying in their homes after they struggled to get treatment. DRC officials have not reported any test results and it is unclear whether patients have received negative results for other diseases.
A World Health Organisation (WHO) spokesperson said the UN health agency had been notified about the presence of the disease in the past week and that it is working alongside the African country's health ministry in a bid to make further investigations. Civil society leader Cephorien Manzanza said the situation was worrying amid the sharp rise in cases.

Unknown disease with flu-like symptoms kills almost 150 sparking pandemic fears

 

[Mij]

Statement from DR Congo's Health Ministry on unidentified illness:

OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUÉ Concerning situation in the Panzi health zone, Kwango province Since October 24, 2024, a disease of still unknown origin has been spreading in Kwango province, specifically in the Panzi health zone. To date, this disease has caused the death of 79 people, most of whom are children over 15 years old, and has affected 376 individuals.

The reported symptoms among patients include: • Fever • Headache • Nasal discharge and cough • Difficulty breathing • Anemia

The Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene, and Social Welfare expresses its deep sympathy to the families affected by this tragedy and offers them its sincerest condolences.

To provide a rapid and effective response to this concerning situation, the Ministry, through the National Institute of Public Health (INSP) and the Public Health Emergency Operations Center (COUSP), has dispatched a rapid response team to the affected area.

The mission of this team is to: 1. Ensure immediate care for reported cases. 2. Collect samples from patients for laboratory analysis. 3. Conduct in-depth investigations in the field to identify the nature of this disease.

The results of laboratory analyses will be communicated as soon as they are available, and regular updates will be shared with the public and partners.

While awaiting the conclusions of the ongoing investigations, the Ministry urges the population to remain calm, stay vigilant, and strictly adhere to the following preventive measures:
1. Avoid mass gatherings. 2. Report any suspected cases or unusual deaths to local health authorities. 3. Observe basic hygiene rules, including regular handwashing with soap and water. 4. Do not handle deceased bodies without the intervention of authorized health personnel.

The Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene, and Social Welfare reaffirms its commitment to protecting the population and working closely with national and international partners to provide a rapid and effective response to this health crisis

 

[duncan]

Unknown Disease With Flu-like Symptoms Kills Almost 150 Sparking Pandemic Fears

Replace "kills almost 150" with "permanently debilitates almost 150", and I suspect the rest of the headline would sink like a stone. This is the truth behind cultural aversion to chronicity.