United States: Recent reports reveal that a flu-like illness has claimed dozens of lives over the past two weeks, with authorities in Southern Congo still investigating the root cause.
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According to CNN Health, the deaths occurred between November 10 and November 25 in the Panzi health zone of Kwango province.
The visible symptoms include fever, headache, cough, and anemia, as described by Apollinaire Yumba, the provincial health minister, to the reporters over the weekend.
Furthermore, Rémy Saki, the deputy provincial governor, also said that the total death count so far lies between 67-143, as AP News reported.
Saki mentioned, “A team of epidemiological experts is expected in the region to take samples and identify the problem.”
The officials are recommending the residents at risk to stay cautioned and refrain from contact with dead bodies in order to avoid infection.
Yumba also urged national and international health partners to help by providing medical supplies to curb the current health crisis.
Country is facing other outbreaks
Currently, Congo is also struggling to contain the mpox epidemic, where more than 47,000 cases have been reported, involving more than 1,000 suspected deaths by the disease in the Central African country, as the World Health Organization stated.
According to the WHO, the unidentified disease cases are spreading a wave of worry among the global community, where a team on the ground is working with local health officials, CNN Health reported.
The work is being done to collect samples, as per a working employee in the organization, who spoke on the condition of staying anonymous.