WHO sends experts to DRC to investigate mysterious disease after multiple deaths

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Friday that it is deploying a team of experts to the Democratic Republic of Congo to assist health authorities in investigating a mysterious illness.

The illnesses have led to several fatalities in the remote southwestern region of Kwango province.

The WHO team is en route to Panzi, a locality within the province, where they will provide essential medicines and diagnostic kits to help identify the cause of the illness.

Laboratory tests are underway to determine its origin, with the WHO promising to share further information as it becomes available.

“Our priority is to provide effective support to the affected families and communities,” said Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO’s regional director for Africa. “All efforts are underway to identify the cause of the illness, understand its modes of transmission, and ensure an appropriate response as swiftly as possible.”

According to the WHO, 394 cases and 30 deaths have been reported so far in the Panzi health zone, based on data from the Ministry of Public Health. Earlier this week, local authorities revealed that the illness claimed 143 lives in November alone.

Symptoms of the disease include headache, cough, fever, breathing difficulties, and anaemia.