A man in western Congo has died with symptoms of hemorrhagic fever, sparking concerns that an unidentified virus may be contributing to a mysterious outbreak that has claimed the lives of dozens of people. Health authorities suspect that this virus, in addition to malaria, may be responsible for the outbreak.
Last week, officials in Congo initially suspected malaria in the outbreak, which has resulted in at least 37 deaths. However, the recent death of a man exhibiting hemorrhagic fever symptoms, not typically associated with malaria, has raised suspicions of a viral infection.
The outbreak has been concentrated in the remote Panzi area of Kwango province, where malaria is endemic and malnutrition rates are high, complicating the diagnostic process. So far, there have been 592 reported cases and 37 confirmed deaths in health facilities, with an additional 44 deaths under investigation in the community.
Out of 51 cases tested, 86% have been positive for malaria. Further testing for additional diseases is underway at national laboratories, with results expected next week. Most of the cases and deaths have been among children under 14 years old.
Symptoms of the outbreak have included fever, headache, cough, and anemia. Experts from the World Health Organization and Congo's National Rapid Response Team have been on the ground to investigate and collect samples.
The Panzi health zone, located around 435 miles from the capital, Kinshasa, has faced challenges in accessing healthcare services. Due to limited local testing capacity, samples have had to be transported over 310 miles away for analysis.
Two years ago, Panzi experienced an epidemic of typhoid fever, and there is currently a resurgence of seasonal flu in the country. Low vaccination coverage in the area has left children susceptible to various diseases, including malaria.
The situation remains under close monitoring as health authorities work to identify the root cause of the outbreak and implement necessary interventions to prevent further spread of the disease.
