In a distressing development, Congo’s government is grappling with a mysterious flu-like illness that has resulted in the death of dozens in recent weeks.
Congo’s Health Minister, Roger Kamba, announced that the government remains vigilant about this enigmatic disease, which has claimed at least 71 lives. These fatalities comprise 27 hospital deaths and 44 community deaths within the southern Kwango province. Kamba stated, “The Congolese government is on general alert regarding this disease,” without divulging further specifics.
Tragically, within hospital settings, 10 individuals succumbed due to the absence of necessary blood transfusions, while 17 died from respiratory complications between November 10 and November 25 in Kwango’s Panzi health zone. The minister reported nearly 380 cases, with roughly half involving children under five. Symptoms are said to include fever, headache, cough, and anemia.
In response, epidemiological specialists have been deployed to the area to collect samples and investigate the disease. However, Kamba emphasized the difficulty of determining transmission modes without the results of these analyses, indicating that while it resembles a respiratory disease, more information is required.
The Panzi health zone, located approximately 435 miles from the capital Kinshasa, poses accessibility challenges for healthcare workers, with experts taking two days to arrive. Kamba acknowledged the frailty of the rural health system, commenting that the ministry awaits sample analysis findings to effectively address the situation.
Local resident Claude Niongo, who lost his wife and daughter to the disease, shared his ordeal, citing symptoms like high fevers and vomiting preceding death. He expressed concern over the current lack of care and informed the media about the dire situation.
Lucien Lufutu, a civil society leader in Kwango, highlighted the scarcity of medical resources, noting that traditional healers often serve as the primary care providers due to the disease’s uncertain nature. He mentioned that neighboring Katenda has also reported cases, though the health minister could not confirm an outbreak beyond the initial locale.
Concurrently, Congo is also combatting an extensive mpox epidemic, with over 47,000 suspected cases and 1,000 deaths according to the World Health Organization. Minister Kamba stressed the need for patience, stating, “At the current stage, we cannot speak of a large-scale epidemic, we must wait for the results of the samples taken.”
The emergence of this flu-like illness adds another layer of complexity to Congo’s already pressing public health challenges. As the government remains vigilant, the awaited epidemiological analyses will be crucial in shaping future strategies.
Source: Apnews
