In a press release dated December 4, the Ministry of Public Health of the Democratic Republic of Congo warns: “ a disease of unknown origin is raging in the province of Kwango, precisely in the Panzi zone (…) To date, this disease has caused the death of 79 people, the majority of whom are children aged over 15 and have affected 376 people. »
Other less official sources, such as the Reuters agency, report a number of victims twice as high.
Infected people experience flu-like symptoms including high fever, headache, runny nose, cough, difficulty breathing and anemia.
Problem, as civil society leader Cephorien Manzanza explained to the Reuters agency, “ Panzi is a rural health zone, so there is a problem with the supply of medicines. Patients die at home due to lack of care ».
A team was therefore dispatched to the site by the National Institute of Public Health and the Center for Emergency Operations and Public Health. Triple objective:
- Ensure immediate patient care;
- Take samples;
- Identify the nature of the illness.
While awaiting the results, local authorities are calling for calm, as well as compliance with preventive measures:
- Avoid gatherings;
- Report any suspicious cases;
- Observe basic hygiene rules (hand washing, etc.).
Source: Press release from the Ministry of Public Health of the Democratic Republic of Congo – https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/unknown-disease-kills-143-southwest-congo-local-authorities-say-2024 -12-03/
