WHO sends experts to DR Congo over mystery disease

The World Health Organisation says it is deploying experts to support health authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo to investigate an as-yet undiagnosed disease linked to multiple deaths in a remote area of the country.

The WHO experts are on their way to Panzi, a locality in the southwestern Kwango province, where they will deliver essential medicines and diagnostic kits to help analyse the cause of the illness.

Laboratory tests are being conducted to determine the cause, the WHO said, adding that it would share more information as soon as it was available.

As #DRC 🇨🇩intensifies efforts to determine the cause of an undiagnosed disease reported in #Panzi, @WHO is deploying more experts to join the national response team comprising epidemiologists, clinicians, laboratory technicians and infection prevention and control & risk… pic.twitter.com/iEUbJujI5m— WHO African Region (@WHOAFRO) December 6, 2024

"Our priority is to provide effective support to the affected families and communities," said Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO's regional director for Africa.

"All efforts are underway to identify the cause of the illness, understand its modes of transmission and ensure appropriate response as swiftly as possible," she added.

The WHO said 394 cases and 30 deaths have been reported so far in Panzi health zone, citing data from the health ministry.

However, other local reports said there were as many as 130 deaths, including those that occurred outside health facilities.

Health Minister Roger Kamba said earlier 71 deaths had been confirmed including 27 people who died in hospitals and 44 in the community in the southern province of Kwango.

Symptoms of the illness include headache, cough, fever, breathing difficulties and anaemia, according to the WHO.

A respiratory pathogen such as influenza or COVID-19 is being investigated as a possible cause of the disease but malaria, measles and others are also possible.

The health ministry expects the laboratory results of the samples taken so far by this weekend at the earliest.

with DPA and AP