A mystery flu-like illness that has claimed dozens of lives in Congo’s southwest may be linked to malaria, according to preliminary findings from laboratory samples. Dr. Jean-Jacques Muyembe, Director-General of the National Institute for Biomedical Research, revealed that nine of 12 samples tested positive for malaria, though poor sample quality necessitates further investigation to confirm the outbreak’s nature.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, supported these findings but cautioned that multiple diseases could be involved. So far, 416 cases and 31 hospital deaths have been reported, with an additional 44 deaths occurring in communities. Most of the victims are children under 14, from the remote Panzi health zone in Congo’s Kwango province.
Residents described symptoms such as fever, headaches, cough, and anemia. Ezekiel Kasongo, a Panzi resident, shared his relief after his nine-year-old son recovered from the illness following hospitalization. “We were very worried because of the number of deaths, especially among children, but God be praised, he is out,” Kasongo said.
The remote Panzi region faces significant challenges, including high rates of malnutrition, low vaccination coverage, and limited healthcare access. Experts from the National Rapid Response Team and WHO recently arrived to collect samples and conduct further investigations. However, logistical hurdles delayed their arrival, as Panzi is over 700 kilometers from Kinshasa, and samples had to be transported to Kikwit for testing.
While authorities suspect malaria due to the symptoms and affected population, other diseases such as typhoid fever, flu, or conditions worsened by malnutrition remain potential contributors. WHO and Congo’s health officials are continuing their efforts to identify the cause of the outbreak and implement appropriate interventions.