The Ministries of Health and Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are monitoring a potential outbreak of an unidentified disease exhibiting symptoms including fever, sore throat, cough, and anemia. According to the latest data released by the Ministry of Public Health, 394 virus cases have been reported in the Panzi health zone, a rural community more than 700km from the capital Kinshasa, along with 30 fatalities. The World Health Organization (WHO) has dispatched a contingent of experts to the affected country to offer assistance to the local National Rapid Response Team composed of experts in the fields of epidemiology, clinical practice, laboratory science and infection prevention and control, risk communication, and disease surveillance. A respiratory pathogen, such as influenza or SARS-CoV-2, is currently under investigation as a potential causative agent, as are malaria, measles, and other infectious diseases, including viral haemorrhagic fever such as Crimean-Congo and Ebola. Laboratory tests are currently being conducted to ascertain the underlying cause. The WHO will disseminate further information regarding the identification of the disease as soon as it is available.
WHO, the respiratory pathogen hypothesis of the Congo virus
Type of event:
Disease/Outbreak
30
394
December 6, 2024