A mysterious and flu-like illness, dubbed Disease X, has claimed 79 lives and affected 376 individuals in the Democratic Republic of Congo since its emergence in late October. Nearly 200 of the cases involve children under five, while most fatalities are reported among adolescents aged 15 to 18.
The disease, characterized by symptoms like fever, headache, cough, breathing difficulties, and anemia, was first detected in the Panzi health zone, Kwango province. Authorities were notified on December 1, almost six weeks after the first cases emerged. Health officials suspect the pathogen is airborne, though investigations are ongoing.
Jean Kaseya, director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, emphasized the urgency of the situation: “We have a delay of almost five to six weeks, and in five to six weeks so many things can happen. Ongoing testing will help us to understand what is the issue.”
Samples are being analyzed at a national laboratory in Kinshasa, with results expected within 48 hours. Meanwhile, WHO has dispatched experts, essential medicines, and diagnostic kits to support local efforts in understanding transmission patterns and managing cases.
The Congolese Health Ministry has urged the public to follow strict hygiene practices and avoid mass gatherings. Countries like Hong Kong have implemented airport screenings for travelers arriving from Johannesburg and Addis Ababa, two major African hubs connecting to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Meanwhile, Japan’s foreign ministry has issued advisories discouraging non-essential travel to the affected region.
