Mystery illness in Congo could be severe malaria
A deadly outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has claimed 48 lives and infected 891 people since late October, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday, December 27, 2024. The outbreak is centered in the remote Panzi health zone of Kwango Province, where limited healthcare infrastructure and heavy rains have worsened the situation.
Health experts have identified the outbreak as a combination of acute respiratory infections and malaria, with severe malnutrition further intensifying the crisis. Over 60% of rapid diagnostic tests have returned positive results for malaria, while PCR tests confirmed the presence of Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite responsible for the deadliest form of malaria. Respiratory viruses, including influenza, were also detected in many patients.
Children under five remain the most vulnerable, accounting for nearly half of all reported cases and over 54% of the deaths. Women are also disproportionately affected, likely due to their caregiving roles and frequent contact with sick children.
Symptoms among severe cases include difficulty breathing, severe anemia, and acute malnutrition, all of which are exacerbated by poor access to healthcare and essential medicines in the region. The WHO noted that food security in the area has deteriorated significantly in recent months, intensifying the impact of the outbreak.
The rainy season has further complicated efforts to control the disease. Flooded roads and poor transportation infrastructure have made it challenging for medical teams to reach remote communities. Rapid response teams were deployed earlier this month, resulting in a temporary spike in detected cases, though deaths did not rise proportionally.
While the outbreak remains concentrated in a remote area, health officials assure that the broader risk to the national and global population is currently low. However, continued surveillance, vaccination campaigns, and emergency aid remain critical to containing the crisis and preventing further loss of life.
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