In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the mysterious disease affecting the Panzi health zone, in the province of Kwango, has finally revealed its secrets. According to the DRC Ministry of Health, it is a severe form of malaria aggravated by a high rate of malnutrition in the region.
It has fairly classic symptoms like fever, cough and headache.
Congolese health authorities have recorded 592 cases since October 24, with a case fatality rate of 6.2%. Preliminary data indicates that children are particularly affected.
The Congolese Ministry of Health has indicated that 40% of serious cases of malaria concern children under five years old.
As the malnutrition rate is high in the Panzi health zone, the current rainy season could unfortunately worsen the situation in this region. Malaria and malnutrition are indeed a deadly combination.
The authorities want to present a control plan
Malnourished children lose their energy to fight illnesses, making them more vulnerable to developing a severe form of malaria.
Therefore, a malnourished child has a higher risk of death than a nutritionally healthy child.
Malaria is particularly deadly because it can cause severe anemia, as can malnutrition, nutrition experts say.
As research is underway, the Ministry of Health should soon communicate on the methods and strategies implemented to combat this now well-identified disease.
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