CDC Identifies Malaria as Likely Cause of Mysterious Deadly Outbreak in DR Congo

A previously unidentified disease responsible for dozens of deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo is likely malaria, the African Union’s health agency reported on Thursday.

First detected in late October, the outbreak has primarily affected the Panzi region, located about 700 kilometers (435 miles) southeast of the capital, Kinshasa. Ngashi Ngongo, Africa CDC’s chief of staff and head of the executive office, stated in an online briefing that the current working diagnosis points to malaria as the most probable cause.

Ngongo also highlighted that malnutrition in the region has worsened the situation, making it the leading hypothesis. However, the possibility of a viral hemorrhagic disease occurring alongside malaria has not been completely ruled out.

According to Africa CDC data, the disease has caused 37 deaths among nearly 600 reported cases in health facilities in Panzi. An additional 44 deaths, reported at the community level, are still under investigation.

Challenges in Outbreak Management: Poor Infrastructure and Resource Shortages

Efforts to manage the outbreak are hampered by difficult road access and limited health infrastructure in the region. Residents face severe shortages of drinking water and medical supplies, adding to the challenges.

The Congolese government noted that the Panzi region, which experienced a significant typhoid fever epidemic two years ago, has one of the country’s highest malnutrition rates at 61 percent.

Epidemiologists ruled out coronavirus earlier this month, concluding that the disease primarily affects the respiratory system. Symptoms include fever, cough, and headaches, with initial findings indicating that young children are disproportionately impacted. About 40 percent of the cases involve children under the age of five.

Meanwhile, the DRC, one of the world’s poorest nations, continues to grapple with a separate mpox outbreak that has claimed over 1,000 lives in recent months.

Read Original Article: Science Alert

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