WHO Responds To ‘Disease X’ Outbreak In Congo That Has Claimed 79 Lives

A mysterious illness, referred to as ‘Disease X’, has caused widespread concern in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), resulting in 79 deaths. The outbreak has impacted hundreds of individuals, especially young children, since its detection in late October.

The ‘Disease X’ outbreak, which has affected at least 376 people, has predominantly impacted children under five years old, with nearly 200 cases among this group. The disease was first identified on October 24 in the Panzi health zone in Kwango province, and national authorities were officially notified of the situation on December 1.

Jean Kaseya, director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), acknowledged the delay in identifying the outbreak, noting, “We have a delay of almost five to six weeks, and in five to six weeks so many things can happen.” Testing is ongoing to identify the cause of the disease.

Symptoms and Testing

The disease exhibits flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, cough, difficulty breathing, and anemia. It surfaced during a period of increased flu activity, and experts suspect it may be airborne. Samples are currently being analyzed at a national laboratory in Kinshasa, and results are expected within 48 hours.

This outbreak has reignited fears about the emergence of new pathogens with the potential to spread globally, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are concerns about the rapid international transmission of the disease, similar to the spread of a new strain of mpox earlier this year, which led the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a public health emergency.

International Support and Response

The Africa CDC has deployed epidemiologists, lab scientists, and infection prevention experts to assist Congolese authorities. Kaseya emphasized the challenges of disease surveillance in a country with multiple, simultaneous outbreaks, stating, “This is why we are helping the country strengthen its surveillance capabilities.”

The WHO has sent diagnostic kits, medicines, and experts to the affected area in Kwango to help identify the transmission patterns of the disease. So far, the illness has spread across seven of the province’s 30 health zones.

In response to the outbreak, Hong Kong has stepped up airport screenings for passengers arriving from Johannesburg and Addis Ababa, potential transit points for travelers coming from the DRC. Japan’s foreign ministry has issued a travel advisory, urging against unnecessary travel to the affected region.

Health authorities are investigating a range of potential causes, including respiratory pathogens, malaria, and measles.

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