Health officials are sounding alarms as the Democratic Republic of Congo grapples with an outbreak of what’s being called "Disease X," claiming dozens of lives and leaving many questions unanswered. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed on December 6, 2024, their involvement to help manage and diagnose this unknown illness.
With 143 reported deaths and hundreds of cases, mostly concentrated in the Panzi health zone of Kwango province, local authorities fear the worst. Between November 10 and November 25, reports allege at least 143 fatalities attributed to this mysterious disease, with symptoms including severe headache, persistent cough, fever, breathing difficulties, and cases of anaemia.
Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO’s regional director for Africa, emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting, "Our priority is to provide effective support to the affected families and communities. All efforts are underway to identify the cause of the illness, understand its modes of transmission, and implement appropriate responses as swiftly as possible." To facilitate this, WHO experts are en route to the affected area, bringing diagnostic kits and medical supplies to assist health authorities.
The first indications of the outbreak surfaced on October 24, but local health authorities weren’t informed until December 1, raising concerns over potential delays. Dr. Dieudonné Mwamba, director-general of the National Institute of Public Health (INSP), highlighted these delays during recent press encounters.
"We have a delay of almost five to six weeks, and during this time, so many things can happen," Dr. Mwamba stated. The lack of immediate and coordinated information flow may well be exacerbated by existing healthcare challenges within the DRC.
Describing the local healthcare scenario, Lucien Lufutu, president of the civil society consultation framework of Kwango province, voiced frustration over the limited capacity of local hospitals. "There is a lack of medicines and medical supplies since the disease is not yet known. Most of the population is treated by traditional practitioners," he mentions, underscoring the necessity for urgent medical intervention.
The provincial health minister, Apollinaire Yumba, has advised residents to exercise extreme caution, particularly concerning deceased individuals, stating, "Avoid contact to prevent infection." This guidance emerges amid fears of widespread transmission.
Adding to the distress, the DRC is already dealing with another health crisis: the mpox outbreak, which has resulted in approximately 200 to 300 confirmed cases weekly, according to data from the WHO. The country declared mpox, caused by orthopoxvirus, as a global emergency back in August.
Compounding the situation, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has expressed awareness of the prevailing health scenario, stating through representatives positioned in Kinshasa, they stand ready to assist as needed. A spokesperson remarked, "U.S. government staff, including those from U.S. CDC’s country office, are coordinating with the DRC’s Ministry of Health to offer support."
While the world watches, authorities back home continue to strive to understand the intricacies of Disease X, with both local and international health agencies scrambling for clarity amid the chaos. Will measures taken now mitigate what could become another devastating health crisis? One can only hope the collaborative efforts of regional health officials and international organizations yield results soon.