World Health Authority: Hundreds dying in Congo as unknown flu-like illness spreads
World Health Authorities are monitoring a distressing situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo after over 140 people are reported to have died following effects of an unknown flu sweeping across the nation.
The flu-like illness has taken hold in southwestern area of Congo during the last two weeks with reports up to 143 people are now confirmed dead but the worrying sign is hundreds more are now infected and the death toll is only expected to rise.
Deputy provincial governor Rémy Saki and provincial health minister Apollinaire Yumba told the Associated Press and Reuters that symptoms include fever, headache, cough and anaemia..
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.”A team of epidemiological experts is expected in the region to take samples and identify the problem,” Mr Saki said.
The World Health Organization (WHO) was alerted to the unidentified disease last week and has a team working on the ground to assist local health services.
Locals have been advised to exercise caution and refrain from contact with dead bodies and sick people are dying in their own homes for lack of treatment, government officials confirmed.
Civil society leader Cephorien Manzanza told Reuters the situation was extremely worrying as the number of infected continues to rise.
“Panzi is a rural health zone, so there is a problem with the supply of medicines,” Mr Manzanza said.
A local epidemiologist told Reuters women and children were the most seriously affected by the disease.
Congo is already battling an mpox epidemic that is believed to have killed more than 1000 and infected 47,000 in the Central African nation, according to the WHO.
