Multiple Diseases Found in Patients with Mysterious Illness in Congo

kinshasa - Patients with a mysterious illness in Congo also test positive for malaria, raising concerns of multiple diseases being present.

Ten out of twelve tested patients who are suffering from the mysterious illness have tested positive for malaria, according to WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus. The WHO is currently conducting laboratory tests to determine the exact cause or causes of the illness.

Since late October, WHO has reported over 400 cases of the unidentified illness in the Kwango province in southwestern Democratic Republic of Congo. Estimates of the death toll vary, with WHO reporting 31 deaths, while the Congolese Minister of Health Roger Kamba stated that 79 people have died from the illness in the Panzi health zone since October 24. The deputy governor of Kwango province even mentioned 143 deaths. The discrepancy in numbers is due to the inclusion or exclusion of individuals who have died at home without medical treatment. Many of the patients are children under the age of five.

The symptoms of the mysterious illness, also known as 'disease X', resemble those of the flu. Patients experience headaches, coughing, respiratory issues, and anemia. Malnutrition exacerbates the condition, as 40 percent of the people in the region are malnourished.

WHO emphasizes that the illness is considered 'undiagnosed' rather than 'unknown'. Investigations are ongoing to determine if COVID-19 and measles could also be contributing factors.