WHO Engages in Investigation of Mysterious Illness in Congo
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Kinshasa, Dec 7 (NationPress) The World Health Organization (WHO) is dispatching specialists to aid health officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with investigations aimed at uncovering the source of a currently undiagnosed disease that has emerged in Panzi, a locality situated in Kwango Province in the southwestern part of the nation.
The WHO experts are integrating with the Congo response team and are en route to Panzi, as confirmed by the WHO regional office for Africa in a statement released on Friday, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
An initial local WHO team has been working alongside health authorities in Kwango since late November to bolster disease surveillance and identify suspected cases.
"Our focus is to deliver effective support to the families and communities impacted. All necessary actions are being taken to ascertain the cause of this illness, comprehend its transmission methods, and ensure a prompt and appropriate reaction," stated Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.
As per the Congo public health ministry, there have been 394 reported cases and 30 fatalities in the Panzi health zone. Symptoms associated with the illness include headache, cough, fever, breathing challenges, and anaemia.
Investigations are underway to explore the possibility of a respiratory pathogen such as influenza or Covid as potential causes, along with malaria, measles, and other diseases. The exact cause remains undetermined pending laboratory test outcomes, according to the WHO.
Panzi is a rural community located over 700 km away from the capital, Kinshasa. Road access is challenging, and the communication infrastructure is limited.
