As Mystery Illness Kills Dozens, Locals Told to Not Touch Bodies

Flu-like sickness is being investigated in southwestern Congo
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Dec 4, 2024 8:38 AM CST
Updated Dec 4, 2024 8:59 AM CST
Probe Launched After Mystery Illness Kills Dozens in Congo
Children suffering from mpox wait for treatment at a clinic in Munigi, Congo, on Aug. 19.   (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa)

A flu-like disease that has killed dozens of people over two weeks is being investigated in southwestern Congo, local authorities said. The deaths were recorded between Nov. 10 and Nov. 25 in the Panzi health zone of the Kwango province. Symptoms include fever, headache, cough, and anemia, provincial health minister Apollinaire Yumba told reporters over the weekend. The deputy provincial governor, Remy Saki, told the AP on Tuesday that between 67 and 143 people had died. "A team of epidemiological experts is expected in the region to take samples and identify the problem," he added.

Yumba advised the population to exercise caution and refrain from contact with dead bodies to avoid contamination. He also called on national and international partners to send medical supplies to deal with the health crisis. Congo is already plagued by the mpox epidemic, with more than 47,000 suspected cases and upward of 1,000 suspected deaths from the disease in the Central African country, according to the World Health Organization. WHO is aware of the unidentified disease and has a team on the ground working with local health services to collect samples, according to an organization employee.

(More Democratic Republic of Congo stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X