WHO Investigates Surge in Mysterious Illness “Disease X” in Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reported a rise in cases of a mysterious flu-like illness, referred to as “Disease X,” prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to dispatch a rapid response team to the affected region.
Since October 24, 406 cases of the illness, which causes fever, headache, cough, runny nose, and body aches, have been recorded in the Panzi health zone of south-western Congo’s Kwango province, the WHO announced on December 8. This is an increase from 376 cases reported last week.
Children under five make up the majority of the cases, although a 50-year-old male traveller hospitalized in Lucca, Italy, has reportedly recovered from the illness, according to Italian newspaper Il Tempo.
The outbreak has led to 31 confirmed deaths, down from 79 fatalities reported last week. Severe cases have primarily involved individuals suffering from malnutrition, complicating efforts to pinpoint the illness’s cause.
Access Challenges and Diagnostic Delays
The outbreak is centred in a remote rural area of Kwango province, where poor infrastructure and heavy rains hinder access. It takes nearly 48 hours to travel to the affected zone from Kinshasa, the capital, delaying efforts to confirm fatalities and analyze the disease.
“Limited diagnostics and logistical challenges have slowed the identification of the underlying cause,” the WHO stated. Teams are actively collecting samples for laboratory testing, studying clinical features of the illness, and investigating its transmission dynamics.
Potential Causes Under Investigation
The WHO suspects that multiple diseases could be contributing to the cases. Acute pneumonia, influenza, Covid-19, measles, and malaria are all being considered as potential causes. Malaria, in particular, is common in the region and may be a contributing factor.
Laboratory tests are underway to identify the exact cause of the outbreak. “At this stage, it is also possible that more than one disease is contributing to the cases and deaths,” the WHO said.
Response teams are also working to treat patients and raise awareness in the affected communities as investigations continue.