Kinshasa, Congo – Congolese health officials announced a public health alert on Thursday concerning a mysterious flu-like illness that has claimed dozens of lives in recent weeks.
The government has confirmed 71 fatalities: 27 hospital deaths and 44 community deaths in Kwango province. Health Minister Roger Kamba made the announcement.
“The Congolese government is on high alert regarding this illness,” Minister Kamba stated, without providing further specifics.
Among the hospital deaths, 10 were attributed to a lack of blood transfusions and 17 to respiratory complications.
The deaths occurred between November 10th and 25th in Kwango province’s Panzi health zone. Approximately 380 cases were reported, with nearly half involving children under five, according to the minister.
Reported symptoms include fever, headache, cough, and anemia. Epidemiologists have been deployed to collect samples and investigate the illness, the minister said.
“The disease presents as a respiratory illness, but determining transmission methods is premature pending sample analysis results,” Kamba added.
The Panzi health zone, approximately 700 kilometers from Kinshasa, is a remote area, hindering access. Epidemiologists required two days to reach the zone, the minister noted.
“Rural healthcare systems are quite weak, but the ministry has provisions for certain treatments. We await sample analysis results to refine our response,” he added.
Claude Niongo, a Panzi resident, reported the deaths of his wife and seven-year-old daughter from the illness.
“The cause is unknown, but I observed high fevers, vomiting…and then death,” Niongo told the Associated Press by phone. “Authorities mention an epidemic, but meanwhile, inadequate care is causing deaths,” he added.
Lucien Lufutu, head of the Kwango province civil society consultation framework (currently in Panzi), described the local hospital as under-resourced.
“There’s a shortage of medicine and supplies. Since the illness is unidentified, many rely on traditional healers,” Lufutu told the AP.
He also noted the illness’s spread to the nearby Katenda health zone.
When questioned about potential outbreaks in other zones, the minister stated that while no reports have been received, he couldn’t confirm or deny their absence.
Congo already faces a outbreak, with over 47,000 suspected cases and 1,000 suspected deaths, according to the World Health Organization.
“Currently, we can’t confirm a widespread epidemic. We must await the sample analysis results,” Health Minister Kamba stated regarding the mystery flu-like illness.
