Congo Declares 'Maximum Alert' Amidst Mysterious and Lethal Epidemic
Click to start listening
Kinshasa, Dec 5 (NationPress) The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has declared a state of maximum alert following the emergence of a mysterious illness that has resulted in the deaths of more than 70 individuals, according to DRC Public Health Minister Roger Kamba.
During a press conference held in Kinshasa, the nation's capital, the minister revealed that a disease described as an epidemic and of unknown origin has been reported in the Panzi region of Kwango Province. Since October, this illness has impacted 382 individuals, with symptoms resembling those of the flu.
To date, 71 fatalities have been recorded, with 27 occurring in healthcare facilities and 44 within local communities. Approximately 300 individuals have reportedly recovered, as cited by Xinhua news agency.
Earlier on Thursday, local media quoted Apollinaire Yumba, the provincial health minister, stating that 131 deaths have been documented from November 10 up to the present.
“We are on maximum alert, and we classify this as an epidemic that requires diligent monitoring,” Kamba stated. “We are inclined to believe it is a respiratory illness.”
Kamba noted that the onset of this disease aligns with the seasonal flu period, typically occurring from October to March, with peak times in December.
He also mentioned the possibility of a connection to COVID-19, which has a lower mortality rate than what has been observed in Kwango.
“These are hypotheses pending the results of our sampling,” Kamba added, emphasizing that efforts to investigate have been hampered by challenging medical and logistical conditions on the ground.
Specialized intervention teams have been deployed to the area to ascertain the nature of the disease, as highlighted by the DRC health minister.
“We are currently awaiting the initial results,” he concluded.
