Mystery Disease in DRC Identified as Severe Malaria

Reviewed by
Remedia Ai
Remedia Ai

The mysterious disease that has killed dozens of people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in recent weeks has been identified as severe malaria, according to local health officials. The outbreak, which has primarily affected children under five years old, has been a cause of concern for health workers who have been working to identify the illness and provide care to patients.

The DRC’s health ministry reported that there have been 592 cases since October, with a fatality rate of 6.2 percent. The symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, cough, runny nose, fatigue, and body aches. All patients with severe illness were severely malnourished, which exacerbated the effects of the malaria.

While local health officials have attributed the outbreak to severe malaria, the World Health Organization (WHO) has not yet confirmed the determination. The WHO is still awaiting the results of samples sent to the national laboratory in Kinshasa for testing. The identification process has been slow due to the remote location of the Kwango province and the challenges posed by the rainy season.

Malaria is a common health issue in the DRC, with over 30.5 million cases and nearly 79,000 deaths reported in 2021. The country has also faced other disease outbreaks, including typhoid, anemia, and mpox. The Congolese government has sent a rapid intervention team to the affected region to identify the disease and mount a suitable response. Anti-malaria medicine provided by the WHO is being distributed at local health centers.

The rainy season in the DRC often sees a rise in malaria cases, which complicates the treatment of those most at risk. The remoteness of the outbreak’s epicenter and the lack of a diagnosis initially made it difficult to launch a concerted response. However, with the identification of the disease as severe malaria, health officials are better equipped to address the outbreak.

References:

  • Mystery disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo is severe malaria, local authorities say
  • Congo says mystery disease behind dozens of deaths of women and children finally identified as severe malaria
  • Mysterious disease in DRC is severe malaria, health authorities say