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Mysterious Disease Congo: 891 Cases and 48 Deaths as of Dec. 16, WHO Hypotheses on Causes
A combination of viral infections and malaria is hitting children under 5 hard
The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing an epidemic that, as of Dec. 16, had 891 reported cases and 48 deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO), after conducting tests on 430 samples, found the presence of malaria and common respiratory viruses such as influenza A/H1N1, rhinovirus, Sars-CoV-2, and other human coronaviruses. WHO hypothesizes that the disease is caused by a combination of these respiratory infections and falciparum malaria, exacerbated by acute malnutrition, which has led to an increase in severe infections and deaths, particularly among children under age 5.
The epidemic continues to grow
Since the previous update on December 8, WHO has reported 485 new suspected cases and 17 additional deaths. The organization confirms that the weekly death toll remains stable, but the public health risk is still high in affected communities.
The context of common infectious diseases
WHO emphasizes how this epidemic highlights the enormous burden of common infectious diseases, such as acute respiratory infections and malaria, especially in contexts of malnutrition and food insecurity. Limited access to health care and worsening food insecurity are critical factors for vulnerable populations.
Risk high for local communities, but low globally
Although the risk remains high for local communities, WHO estimates that, at the national level, the risk is still low due to the location of the event. However, the organization warns that other areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo are seeing an increase in malnutrition, and what has been observed in Panzi could spread to other regions.
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