DRC confirms nearly 80 deaths in Kwango province due to a “disease of still unknown origin”

Local authorities raise the number of deaths to more than 130 during the last month and a half

Dec. 5 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The authorities of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have confirmed the death of around 80 people due to “a disease of still unknown origin” in the province of Kwango, located in the southeast of the country, a situation that leaves more than 375 cases for about a month and a half.

“Since October 25, 2024, a disease of still unknown origin has shaken the province of Kwango, specifically in the Panzi health zone,” said the Congolese Ministry of Health, which has specified that “the majority” of the victims are minors over 15 years of age and has put the number of cases at 376.

Thus, he detailed in a statement published through his account on the social network Facebook that the patients present fever, headache, cough, nasal congestion, breathing difficulties and anemia, while stating that the situation “is worrying.” .

The Ministry has conveyed its condolences to the families of those who died for this “tragedy” and has confirmed the sending of a rapid intervention team to the affected area to provide “immediate” care to the patients and “in-depth investigations on the ground.” to “identify the nature of this disease.”

“The results of the laboratory analyzes will be communicated as soon as they are available,” he said, before calling on the population “to remain calm, vigilant and strictly respect preventive measures,” including “avoiding mass gatherings.” , “report suspicious cases or deaths” and “do not manipulate the remains without the intervention of health agents.”

The situation could be even more worrying, given that the provincial Health Secretary, Apollinaire Yumba Tiabakwau, has raised the death toll to 131 and confirmed the launch of an awareness campaign “to limit the migratory movements of the population”, according to Congolese radio station Radio Okapi reported.

The African country is also facing an outbreak of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, which has left more than 49,000 suspected cases, including 109,846 confirmed cases and nearly 1,200 deaths, according to the latest balance provided by the Congolese Ministry of Health.