A mysterious outbreak of a deadly illness in Africa has taken more than a hundred lives. The health crisis is described as a new flu-like disease that has left health officials puzzled as they are unaware of what the disease is. 179 deaths have been recorded in Africa due to the strange illness, which comes ahead of the fifth anniversary of the first recorded COVID-19 case in Wuhan, China.
The authorities disclosed that the new flu-like illness has mostly killed teenagers, ranging from 16 to 18, as per reports. According to a report, women and children are significantly impacted by the diseases. A statement from the Democratic Republic of the Congo added that the disease has mostly killed children over the age of 15.
Since November 10, there have been 400 cases identified in the southern province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The New York Post, citing information from BBC, reported that the infected people displayed flu-like symptoms such as fever, headaches, coughing, breathing difficulties, and anaemia.
The World Health Organisation was informed about the illness last week. Reports state the infected persons are residing in rural areas, where they have limited access to medication. Doctors have been tending to case patients, some of whom are seen at the Kamituga treatment centre, while health officials investigate the disease.
Reuters reported that the illness spiked in Kwango Province, and the government sent a medical team to investigate the illness. While the government advised citizens to remain calm amid the outbreak, a civil society leader expressed his alarm to Reuters regarding the growing cases.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has been the birthplace of multiple dangerous diseases. Ebola and monkeypox (also known as Mpox) were first identified in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At least 14,500 people were infected with monkeypox from January to July of 2024.
