DRC: more than 100 dead from a “mysterious disease”

A flu-like illness that has killed dozens of people in two weeks is under investigation in the southwestern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), local authorities said.

The deaths were recorded between November 10 and 25 in the health zone of Grasshopperin the province of Congo. Symptoms include feverTHE headachethe cough et anemiadeclared the provincial Minister of Health, Apollinaire Houseto the press over the weekend.

The deputy governor of the province, Remy Sakitold The Associated Press on Tuesday that between 67 and 143 people had died. “A team of epidemiology experts is expected in the region to take samples and identify the problem”he added.

Mr. Yumba advised the population to exercise caution and refrain from any contact with the remains in order to avoid any contamination. He called on national and international partners to send medical equipment to deal with the health crisis.

The DRC is already in the grip of the Mpox epidemic, with more than 47,000 suspected cases and more than 1,000 presumed deaths from the disease in the central African country, according to the World Health Organization.

The WHO is aware of the unidentified illness and has a team on the ground working with local health departments to collect samples, according to an employee of the organization who spoke on condition of anonymity because He was not authorized to speak to the media.