Fears of a mysterious new disease, initially dubbed “Disease X,” have begun to ease in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as preliminary investigations indicate that malaria is the primary suspect behind the recent outbreak in Kwango province.
The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that early lab tests on 12 samples collected from affected individuals found that 10 were positive for malaria. However, experts caution that other infections, including measles or mosquito-borne diseases, could also be involved, requiring further investigation.
The outbreak, which has impacted 416 people in the remote Panzi district, has been particularly devastating for malnourished individuals. At least 31 people have died since the outbreak was first reported. The disease is presenting with symptoms commonly associated with malaria, including fever, headache, cough, and anemia. These symptoms, while flu-like, suggest a connection to known diseases.
Limited healthcare infrastructure in the region is complicating efforts to quickly diagnose and contain the spread of the disease. Poor road conditions and inadequate laboratory facilities have made it difficult for health teams to reach affected areas promptly.
In response to the crisis, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and WHO have deployed teams to support local health authorities. However, logistical challenges continue to hinder the effectiveness of the response. Local health workers are focusing on malaria treatment and prevention, while also investigating the possibility of other contributing infections.
The situation remains fluid, but health officials are hopeful that the identification of malaria as a primary cause will allow for targeted intervention and containment strategies.
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