By Gift Briton
The World Health Organization (WHO) has deployed experts to support health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to determine the cause of an unknown infectious disease reported in the southwestern part of the country.
Since late October 2024, the unknown disease has killed over 30 people and 394 cases have been reported .in the southwest of DRC.
The WHO experts comprising epidemiologists, clinicians, laboratory technicians and infection prevention and control, and risk communication experts are joining the National Rapid Response Team to reinforce disease surveillance and identify cases. The experts are also delivering essential medicines, and diagnostic and sample collection kits to help rapidly analyze and determine the cause of the illness.
“Our priority is to provide effective support to the affected families and communities. All efforts are underway to identify the cause of the illness, understand its modes of transmission and ensure appropriate response as swiftly as possible,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.
Symptoms of the illness include headache, cough, fever, breathing difficulties and anaemia. Until laboratory test results are received, the cause is unclear.
So far, the disease has been reported in seven of the 30 health zones in Kwango province. Access by road is difficult and communication network is limited. Most cases are reported in three of the seven affected health zones. A respiratory pathogen such as Influenza or COVID-19 is being investigated as a possible cause, as well as malaria, measles and others.
“We are on maximum alert, and we consider this to be a level of epidemic that we need to monitor,” Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba told journalists in Kinshasa.
