The so far unexplained wave of deaths in the southwestern Democratic Republic of Congo could be due to malaria and frequent respiratory infections combined with malnutrition, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The WHO said on Friday that 430 laboratory samples tested positive for malaria and common respiratory viruses such as influenza, rhinoviruses, SARS-CoV-2, human coronaviruses, parainfluenza viruses and human adenoviruses. According to the UN agency, further laboratory tests will follow.
Dozens dead
The Democratic Republic of Congo declared in early December that it was “on maximum alert” due to an “unknown public health event.” The mysterious disease has led to dozens of deaths in the Panzi region, about 700 kilometers southeast of the capital Kinshasa.
The first cases appeared in October and enhanced surveillance was introduced in late November and cases with fever, cough, weakness and other symptoms such as chills, headache and breathing difficulties were monitored.
Children in particular died
According to the WHO, in the period from October 24 to December 16, 891 cases met this information and 48 people died. About half of the illnesses and deaths affected children under the age of five and were attributed to undiagnosed disease.
Congolese authorities had already declared on December 17 that the previously mysterious disease was a serious form of malaria. “The mystery has finally been solved,” the Ministry of Health announced a week before Christmas. This is serious malaria in the form of a respiratory disease.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
