The Health Ministry of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has confirmed that a previously unidentified disease in the southwestern Kwango province is a severe form of malaria. This revelation follows reports of 143 deaths in the Panzi health zone in November, sparking concerns among local health authorities.
The disease presented symptoms commonly associated with respiratory illnesses, including fever, headache, cough, runny nose, and body aches. Initially, these symptoms made it difficult for health officials to pinpoint the disease’s cause.
“The mystery has now been resolved. It is a case of severe malaria that manifests with respiratory symptoms,” stated the Health Ministry. Authorities further highlighted that widespread malnutrition in the region had left the local population vulnerable, exacerbating the severity of the illness.
Since October, 592 cases of the severe malaria strain have been reported, with a fatality rate of 6.2%. The Ministry has expressed alarm over the rapid spread of the disease, compounded by the region’s existing health challenges, including poor nutrition and inadequate healthcare infrastructure.
To combat the outbreak, anti-malaria medications provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) are being distributed across the affected health zones, including hospitals and local clinics. The WHO is also sending additional health kits, tailored for treating moderate to severe cases, which are expected to arrive by Wednesday.
In a statement, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that initial tests on 10 patient samples from the affected area had confirmed malaria, though investigations are ongoing to rule out the possibility of co-existing diseases.
As health authorities continue to address the crisis, efforts are focused on containing the spread and providing timely medical care to the affected population.