A mystery illness in Congo has claimed 79 lives and sickened 406 people, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The outbreak, first detected in late October, disproportionately affects malnourished children under five. Symptoms include fever, headache, cough, runny nose, and body aches.
Limited access to healthcare and ongoing rains are complicating efforts to identify the disease, with experts considering multiple possible causes, including pneumonia, malaria, and measles.
Scale of the Outbreak in Congo
The outbreak of the mystery illness in Congo began on 24 October 2024, when cases of fever, cough, and other symptoms were first reported in the Panzi health zone of Kwango Province.
Children under the age of five account for 71% of the fatalities.
Timeline of Key Developments
- 24 October 2024: First cases of the mystery illness reported in the Panzi health zone.
- 29 November 2024: Congo’s Ministry of Public Health alerts WHO about increased deaths linked to the outbreak.
- 30 November 2024: Provincial rapid response team (RRT) deployed to Panzi.
- 3 December 2024: National RRT with WHO experts dispatched to support investigations and response measures.
- 5 December 2024: Cases peak at 406, with at least 79 deaths.
Challenges Slowing the Response in Congo
Efforts to contain the mystery illness in Congo face severe logistical and resource-related barriers. According to WHO, the Panzi health zone is “rural and remote,” with the ongoing rainy season worsening access issues. Reaching the area from Kinshasa takes an estimated 48 hours by road, significantly delaying the deployment of rapid response teams and delivery of critical medical supplies.
Healthcare resources in the region are also severely stretched. The WHO report cited frequent medication shortages, insufficient transportation, and a lack of trained healthcare workers.
Food insecurity in Kwango Province has reached “Crisis Level” in recent months, exacerbating malnutrition among vulnerable populations. WHO emphasised that malnutrition has become a critical factor, stating,
“The area experienced deterioration in food insecurity in recent months, has low vaccination coverage and very limited access to diagnostics and quality case management. There is a lack of supplies and transportation means and shortage of health staff in the area. Malaria control measures are very limited.”
WHO’s Response to the Mystery Illness in Congo
Teams are conducting active case searches in healthcare facilities and communities to identify and
treat undiagnosed cases. WHO stated, “Active case search is being conducted in health facilities, including reviews of hospital registers to identify additional cases. Investigations and active case search are also being organised in the community.”
The teams are also collecting samples for laboratory testing to rule out potential causes, including malaria, influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory infections. WHO has equipped these teams with medications and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) to support clinical management.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO chief said that the patients with the mystery illness could be suffering from multiple diseases simultaneously.
“Of the 12 initial samples collected, 10 tested positive for malaria, although it is possible that more than one disease is involved. Further samples will be collected and tested to determine the exact cause or causes,” a WHO spokesperson shared with The Independent.
At the moment, it is unclear if it is an illness of viral or bacterial origin.
Global Risk and Singapore’s Response to the Outbreak
WHO has assessed the global risk of the mystery illness in Congo as low. Although the outbreak is severe in the Panzi health zone, its impact remains localised. WHO is closely monitoring the situation due to the proximity of the affected area to the Angolan border, raising concerns about potential cross-border spread.
In Singapore, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has reassured the public that the risk of the disease reaching the country is minimal. MOH stated that the low volume of travel between Singapore and Congo, combined with the absence of direct flights, reduces the likelihood of importation.
“The risk of importation of the disease from the DRC to Singapore is assessed to be low,” MOH reported CNA.
Singapore’s existing border health measures further mitigate this risk. All travellers entering the country are required to declare symptoms such as fever or cough via an electronic health declaration.
