The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has declared a state of alert on Thursday following the deaths of dozens from an unidentified flu-like illness that has emerged in the southern Kwango province.
Jean Kaseya, Director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) confirmed that health experts are awaiting critical lab results to further understand the outbreak, which has claimed at least 71 lives. Initial assessments point to a respiratory illness, though experts emphasize that more conclusive data is expected in the coming days.
“We are waiting for laboratory results, but early signs suggest this may be a respiratory disease,” Kaseya said, cautioning that many aspects of the illness remain unknown, including its infectious potential and transmission methods.
Health Minister Roger Kamba reported that 27 of the confirmed deaths occurred in hospitals, while 44 people died in the community, primarily in the Panzi health zone. The deaths have been recorded between November 10 and 25, with nearly 380 cases reported, including a significant number of children under the age of five.
While the Africa CDC has recorded slightly different figures — 376 cases and 79 deaths — Kaseya noted that discrepancies arose due to issues with local surveillance and case tracking systems.
Symptoms of the disease include fever, cough, headache, and anemia. Epidemiological teams are on the ground in the affected region, working to collect samples and further investigate the illness. However, access to the remote Panzi area has been challenging, with experts taking two days to reach the region due to its isolated location. Local testing facilities were insufficient, prompting the transfer of samples to Kikwit, over 500 kilometers away.
“The health system in rural areas is weak, but we have resources to manage certain care needs while we await results that will guide our next steps,” Kaseya added.
Dieudonne Mwamba, head of the National Institute for Public Health, noted that the Panzi region is particularly vulnerable, with 40% of the population suffering from malnutrition. The area had previously been affected by a typhoid fever outbreak two years ago, and a seasonal flu resurgence is currently sweeping through the country.
“This context is important as we assess the impact of the current situation,” Mwamba said.
Locals have expressed concern over the lack of timely medical care, with some residents reporting that loved ones have died from the illness without receiving adequate treatment. One resident, Claude Niongo, shared the heartbreaking loss of his wife and young daughter.
“We didn’t know the cause, but I saw them suffer from high fevers and vomiting before they died,” Niongo said. “Now, authorities are talking about an epidemic, but there’s still a lack of care, and people are dying.”
As health authorities work to contain the outbreak, the situation remains fluid, with many questions left unanswered. The government has pledged to continue monitoring the situation and provide additional resources as more information becomes available.