An outbreak of a mysterious illness in a remote region of the Democratic Republic of Congo has been identified as an acute respiratory infection complicated by malaria, health officials disclosed on Friday. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported 891 cases and 48 deaths since late October.
Numerous samples have been analyzed to gain a better understanding of the illness. More than 60% of rapid diagnostic tests confirmed the presence of malaria, while about two-thirds of individuals tested using a more precise PCR laboratory test were also positive for Plasmodium falciparum, the malaria-causing parasite. Additional tests revealed the presence of common respiratory viruses, such as the flu.
Ongoing epidemiological surveillance and laboratory testing are being conducted as the outbreak persists. Weekly case numbers have remained relatively stable since early November, with a notable increase during the week ending December 15. This spike may be attributed to enhanced case detection following the deployment of rapid response teams; however, the number of deaths did not see a parallel rise.
Preliminary findings from investigations and laboratory analyses suggest that a combination of common viral respiratory infections and falciparum malaria, exacerbated by acute malnutrition, has led to a surge in severe infections and fatalities, according to the WHO update provided on Friday.
Symptoms associated with fatal cases include breathing difficulties, anemia, and signs of acute malnutrition, particularly affecting young children who are more vulnerable. Children under five years old have been disproportionately impacted, accounting for nearly half of all cases and 54% of all fatalities, despite comprising only 18% of the regional population.
Women appear to be more susceptible to the illness than men, a trend that the WHO links to close contact between mothers and children during episodes of acute respiratory illness.
The outbreak has spread in the Panzi district of Kwango Province, a remote and rural area characterized by low vaccination coverage. The rainy season heightens the risk of malaria transmission, complicating the already limited transportation and healthcare infrastructure in the region.
Recent months have seen a decline in food security in this area, exacerbating the situation. Severe malnutrition poses a significant threat on its own, and when coupled with disease, the impact is intensified, as highlighted by the WHO.
The broader risk to the national and global populations is deemed low, with the focal point on the burden faced by vulnerable communities in these circumstances. The WHO underscores the urgent need to enhance access and quality of healthcare services to address the severe burden posed by common infectious diseases, such as acute respiratory infections and malaria, amid challenges of food insecurity.
