Nairobi, 6 December 2024 (dpa/MIA) - The World Health Organization (WHO) is sending experts to the Democratic Republic of Congo to support local health authorities in investigating the outbreak of a deadly new disease.

The team consists of epidemiologists, clinicians, laboratory technicians and experts in infection prevention and control, the WHO Regional Office for Africa announced on Friday. 

Last weekend, health authorities were alerted about cases of a mysterious flu-like disease in the south-west of the central African country. It is now locally referred to as Disease X.

According to the WHO, the Congolese Health Ministry on Friday reported 394 cases and 30 deaths so far in the affected Panzi rural community, located more than 700 kilometres from the capital Kinshasa.

However, other reports said there were as many as 130 deaths, including those that occurred outside health facilities. Earlier, Health Minister Roger Kamba spoke of more fatalities reported at home.

Symptoms of the illness include headache, cough, fever, breathing difficulties and anaemia. Until laboratory test results are received, the cause is unclear. 

A first local WHO team has been supporting the health authorities in the affected province of Kwango since the end of November in monitoring the disease and identifying cases.

A respiratory pathogen such as influenza or Covid-19 is being investigated as a possible cause of the disease, but malaria, measles and others are also possible.

The Health Ministry expects the laboratory results of the samples taken so far by this weekend at the latest.

Photo: MIA archive