A mysterious flu-like illness in southwest Congo that has claimed dozens of lives, primarily affecting children under 14, could be malaria. Lab tests on 12 samples found nine positive for malaria, although sample quality has raised concerns over the accuracy. Dr. Jean-Jacques Muyembe of the National Institute for Biomedical Research noted the potential for a malaria epidemic, but cautioned further investigation is required. The World Health Organization's Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, acknowledged the malaria link but suggested multiple diseases could be in play.
As of the report, 416 cases and 31 hospital deaths have been recorded, with an additional 44 fatalities in communities, according to Congo's Health Minister Roger Kamba. Most incidents are centered in Panzi, a remote area in Kwango province. WHO and Congo's National Rapid Response Team have dispatched experts to conduct further sample testing and inquiry. The region's challenging terrain poses logistical hurdles, as experts faced a two-day journey to reach the affected zone, and samples had to be transported more than 300 miles to Kikwit for analysis.
Panzi—a region previously impacted by a typhoid epidemic—is concurrently experiencing a seasonal flu surge. The area is plagued by high malnutrition rates and insufficient vaccination coverage, rendering children highly susceptible to conditions like malaria. Resident Ezekiel Kasongo, whose son recently recovered, expressed grave concerns over the outbreak's impact. Symptoms include fever, headache, cough, and anemia. Public health continues to monitor the situation closely amidst these ongoing challenges. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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