In the wake of the Covid pandemic, any new illness outbreak tends to generate public anxiety, and officials in the Congo have acknowledged their apprehension.
An unknown illness has prompted health authorities to issue a warning advising people to avoid gathering in large numbers in a community in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Following the Covid-19 pandemic, global vigilance against rapidly spreading diseases has increased significantly.
Healthcare experts are investigating the illness that has so far affected 376 individuals, claiming the lives of up to 143 people.
Officials report that the majority of patients are over 15 years old and exhibit flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, nasal discharge, cough, difficulty breathing, and anemia, which is a lack of healthy red blood cells.
The outbreak has affected the Kwango province in the southwest region, prompting the health ministry to advise regular handwashing with soap and water and to avoid contact with deceased bodies.
The outbreak reportedly began in late October, with cases increasing rapidly in recent weeks.
In a statement from the Health Ministry regarding the illness, they announced: “Laboratory test results will be communicated as soon as they are available, and regular updates will be shared with the population and partners.
“Pending the conclusions of the ongoing investigations, the Ministry calls on the population to remain calm, vigilant and to strictly respect the… preventive measures.
“The ministry… expresses its deep compassion to the families affected by this tragedy and sends them its most sincere condolences.”
Infectious diseases expert and associate professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Dr. Krutika Kuppalli, discussed the outbreak with Mail Online.
She mentioned: “We need more information. The information that has been provided at present speaks of a number of diseases.”
Dr. Kuppalli also addressed worries relating to Ebola and monkeypox.
She explained: “In what they are reporting, we have not seen any reports of skin rash or skin abnormality — which would go with mpox.
“Typically, with viral hemorrhagic fever [like Ebola] you would hear reports of coughing or throwing up blood, and that has not been reported either.
“The reports are concerning, but we need more data and more information about the symptoms they are seeing on the ground.”