Tejal Somvanshi
A severe outbreak of an unidentified illness, dubbed “Disease X,” has infected 375 people and caused 79 deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) Kwango Province since October 24, 2024. The outbreak presents with flu-like symptoms and predominantly affects children under five years old, with most fatalities occurring among those aged 15 to 18.
Disease Progression and Current Status
The disease manifests through fever, headache, cough, breathing difficulties, and anemia. National authorities were alerted on December 1, 2024. “We have a delay of almost five to six weeks, and in five to six weeks, so many things can happen,” states Jean Kaseya, director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The delay in initial reporting raises serious concerns about disease surveillance and response time.
Congo’s Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba states, “We are on maximum alert. We consider this to be a level of epidemic that we need to monitor.”
Critical Healthcare Response
The World Health Organization (WHO) has deployed a rapid response team to the region. However, three major obstacles impede their efforts:
- Poor road conditions in the remote Kwango Province
- Heavy seasonal rains
- Limited diagnostic capabilities
The United Nations has also sent a health team to support investigation efforts. Laboratory analysis of patient samples is underway at the national laboratory in Kinshasa, 500 kilometers from the outbreak zone.
Vulnerable Populations
Nearly 200 of the 376 affected individuals are children under five years old. Individuals with severe malnutrition show more severe symptoms, pointing to a possible connection between nutritional status and disease severity. This pattern raises questions about healthcare access and nutritional support in the region.
Multiple Disease Burden
The DRC faces concurrent health challenges. The country reports over 21,000 mpox suspected cases, of which 5,000 were confirmed, and approximately 700 deaths since January 1, 2024. Additionally, over half a million people live with HIV, according to UNAIDS data.
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Preventive Measures
Local authorities advise:
- Regular handwashing with soap
- Avoiding mass gatherings
- Proper handling of deceased individuals by qualified health personnel only
Dieudonne Mwamba, director general of the National Public Health Institute, suggests the disease may be airborne. Potential causes under investigation include acute pneumonia, influenza, COVID-19, measles, and malaria.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintain an office in Congo and provide technical support to local emergency response teams. Samples are being analyzed at the national laboratory in Kinshasa, and authorities are committed to sharing findings with the public.
This outbreak emerges amid heightened global concerns about new pathogens and their potential for rapid spread, particularly in regions with limited healthcare infrastructure.
