HQ Team
December 9, 2024: Thirty-one people, mostly children, have died due to an undiagnosed disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the WHO stated.
About 406 cases of the disease, with symptoms ranging from fever, headache, cough and body aches, were reported from the Panzi health zone in Kwango Province between October 24 and December 5.
A majority of the cases were reported among children under five years of age. Acute pneumonia, influenza, Covid-19, measles and malaria are being considered as potential causal factors with malnutrition as a contributing factor.
“At this stage, it is also possible that more than one disease is contributing to the cases and deaths,” according to a statement from the global health agency, the WHO.
Tests underway
Malaria is a common disease in the affected areas, and it may be causing or contributing to the cases, the WHO stated. Laboratory tests are underway to determine the exact cause.
Females constitute 59.9% of the total cases. Among the deaths, 71% are below the age of 15, with 54.8% of the total in children under the age of five years. “All severe cases were reported to be malnourished.”
“There are ongoing efforts to address the outbreak in the Panzi health zone,” according to the statement. “However, significant challenges in the clinical and epidemiological response remain that increase the public health risk for the affected population.
“Severe cases with anaemia, respiratory distress, and malnutrition have been reported. The affected area is remote, complicating the assessment and response.”
Access challenge
The Panzi health zone is rural and remote, with access further hindered by the ongoing rainy season.
Reaching it from Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, by road takes an estimated 48 hours. These challenges, coupled with limited diagnostics in the region, have delayed the identification of the underlying cause.
The WHO has deployed rapid response teams to identify the cause of the outbreak and strengthen the response.
“Community deaths are being investigated to better understand transmission dynamics and the scope of the outbreak.”
There is no functional laboratory in the health zone or the Kwango province, requiring the collection and shipment of samples to Kinshasa for analysis.
Global risk ‘low’
The WHO assessed the overall risk level to the affected communities is assessed as “high.”
At the national level, the risk is considered moderate due to the localised nature of the outbreak. “However, the potential for spread to neighbouring areas, coupled with gaps in surveillance and response systems, this assessment underscores the need for heightened preparedness.”
“At the regional and global levels, the risk remains low at this time.”
