Malaria has been identified as the likeliest cause of an illness that has killed more than 80 people in south-western Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa’s main health agency said.
Victims of the previously unknown disease had been suffering flu-like symptoms such as fever, headaches, breathing difficulties and anaemia.
Concerns about the illness have grown following the death of an adult male patient exhibiting symptoms associated with haemorrhagic fever.
This prompted speculation about a potential viral infection occurring at the same time as malaria, Dr Ngashi Ngongo, from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), told journalists on Thursday.
Africa CDC, the UN’s World Health Organization, and other agencies are intensifying investigations into the outbreak, with further testing under way.
In the south-western Democratic Republic of the Congo, an illness that has killed over 80 people has been linked to malaria, according to Africa’s main health agency.
Flu-like symptoms, including fever, headaches, dyspnea, and anemia, were experienced by victims of the hitherto unidentified illness.
The majority of tested samples reported having malaria, which is endemic in the area and is brought on by a parasite carried by mosquitoes. The situation was made worse by widespread malnutrition.
Medical professionals do not, however, rule out the possibility that there are additional factors at work in the Panzi health zone.
After the death of a male adult patient who had symptoms of hemorrhagic fever, worries about the illness have increased.
This raised concerns about a possible co-occurring viral infection and malaria, Dr. Ngashi Ngongo of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) told reporters Thursday.
Test results from the deceased patient’s samples have been sent to Kinshasa, the capital of the Congo, and should be available within the next week.
The World Health Organization of the United Nations, the Africa CDC, and other organizations are stepping up their investigations into the outbreak, and additional testing is underway.
