‘Disease X’ has killed dozens in the Congo — what to know about mystery illness
An unprecedented outbreak of a mysterious illness known as “Disease X” has ravaged the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), claiming the lives of at least 143 individuals, as reported by the country’s deputy provincial governor, Rémy Saki. The deadly disease has struck the Panzi health zone in Kwango province, with the first cases reported between November 10 and November 25.
Characterized by symptoms such as fever, headache, cough, and respiratory difficulties, Disease X has predominantly affected children under the age of 5. The local hospital in Panzi is struggling to cope with the influx of patients, lacking essential medicines and medical supplies necessary for treating the unknown illness. Consequently, many residents are turning to traditional healers for assistance.
In response to the crisis, the DRC’s provincial health minister, Apollinaire Yumba, has issued a cautionary advisory urging residents to avoid contact with deceased individuals to prevent further transmission of the disease. The country has also appealed for urgent medical supplies to support the overwhelmed healthcare infrastructure.
Dr. Dieudonné Mwamba, director general of the National Institute of Public Health (INSP), emphasized the critical need for immediate intervention, with central-level teams mobilized to join the response efforts in the affected health zone. However, delays in disease notification have hindered the timely deployment of essential resources, underscoring the urgency of enhanced surveillance and diagnostic testing.
Jean Kaseya, director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, stressed the importance of ongoing testing to elucidate the nature of the outbreak and facilitate targeted interventions. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been alerted to the situation in southwest DRC and stands ready to provide support in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.
Meanwhile, the DRC is grappling with a concurrent outbreak of mpox, a viral illness caused by an orthopoxvirus, with between 200 and 300 confirmed cases reported weekly. The World Health Organization (WHO) has been closely monitoring the escalating mpox crisis, declared a global emergency in August.
As the healthcare system in the DRC faces mounting challenges from multiple disease outbreaks, concerted international efforts are essential to contain the spread of Disease X and mitigate its impact on vulnerable populations. Continued vigilance, collaboration, and resource mobilization are imperative to combatting the complex public health challenges confronting the region.
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