Reports have been made about an unknown disease spreading in the Democratic Republic of Congo, causing symptoms similar to influenza, now named “Acute Respiratory Infections Complicated by Malaria".
This page will provide information on the disease.
This is a summary of information released on the WHO website on December 27. For more details, refer to the original reports from WHO .
This is an update to the information published on December 8 regarding an undiagnosed disease, now named “Acute Respiratory Infections Complicated by Malaria.”
The update includes information obtained from epidemiological investigations and preliminary laboratory results.
On November 29, local authorities in the Panzi health zone of Kwango Province issued an alert due to an increase in deaths, particularly among children under five, following febrile illnesses. Investigations into cases of febrile illnesses with symptoms such as cough, body weakness were carried out. By December 16, a total of 891 cases and 48 deaths were reported.
Children under five years old accounted for 47% of all cases and 54% of deaths, while they represent around 18% of the population. Key symptoms associated with fatalities included difficulty in breathing, anemia, and signs of acute malnutrition.
A total of 430 samples were collected and transported to the INRB. Of the 88 rapid diagnostic tests conducted in the field, 55 (62%) were positive for malaria. Further analysis using the PCR BioFire Global Fever Panel test on 26 samples showed 17 (65%) positive for Plasmodium falciparum. Additionally, 89 samples were tested at the INRB Respiratory Disease Surveillance Laboratory, where 64 samples were found positive for common respiratory viruses: Influenza A (H1N1, pdm09) (25), rhinoviruses (18), SARS-CoV-2 (15), human coronaviruses (3), parainfluenza viruses (2), and human adenovirus (1).
These findings suggest that malaria, combined with seasonal viral respiratory infections and acute malnutrition, has caused a surge in severe cases and deaths, particularly affecting children under five.
This incident underscores the severe burden of common infectious diseases (acute respiratory infections and malaria) in vulnerable populations facing food insecurity. It highlights the urgent need to strengthen access to healthcare and address underlying vulnerabilities such as malnutrition.
6 January 2025The Democratic Republic of Congo's health ministry confirmed that an unidentified disease circulating in the Panzi health zone is a severe form of malaria manifesting as a respiratory illness, compounded by malnutrition. The disease has caused 143 deaths in Kwango province in November, with 592 cases reported since October 2023 and a fatality rate of 6.2%.
Link to the original reports from Reuters
19 December 2024This is a summary of information released on the WHO website on December 8. For more details, refer to the original reports from WHO .
Between October 24 and December 5, 2024, 406 cases of an undiagnosed illness were reported in the Panza health district of Kwango Province, Democratic Republic of Congo. The main symptoms of the illness include fever, headache, cough, runny nose, and body aches, with 31 fatalities confirmed (case fatality rate: 7.6%). All severe cases were associated with malnutrition, particularly affecting children under five years old. The district is located in a rural area where access is further hindered by the rainy season, requiring approximately 48 hours to travel overland from Kinshasa. These geographical and logistical challenges, combined with limited diagnostic capabilities, have delayed response efforts and identification of the underlying cause.
Most cases were reported in three of the 30 health areas within the Panzi health district: Tsakala Panzi (169 cases), Makitapanzi (142 cases), and Kanzanji (78 cases). Children aged 0–14 years account for 64.3% of cases, with those under 59 months (5 years) comprising 53%. Of the fatalities, 71% were children under 15, and 54.8% were under 5. Additionally, 59.9% of the patients are female, and most fatalities occurred in village communities.
The region is experiencing worsening chronic food insecurity, low vaccination rates, and significant limitations in diagnostic and treatment resources. These include shortages of medical supplies, transportation, and healthcare workers. Clinical symptoms in patients include fever (96.5%), cough (87.9%), fatigue (60.9%), and runny nose (57.8%), while the main symptoms observed in fatalities are respiratory distress, anemia, and signs of acute malnutrition.
According to the Ministry of Health, fatalities occurring within communities have also been reported and require further investigation to identify characteristics such as age and sex. Suspected causes include measles, influenza, acute pneumonia (respiratory tract infections), hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) caused by E. coli, COVID-19, and malaria. Additional testing and investigation are ongoing. Malaria, a common disease in the area, is considered a potential cause or exacerbating factor in this outbreak.
At this stage, the involvement of multiple diseases contributing to these cases and fatalities cannot be ruled out.
9 December 2024
An unidentified disease with flu-like symptoms has claimed the lives of at least 79 people in the south-western Democratic Republic of Congo, primarily affecting those aged 15 to 18. More than 300 cases have been reported, nearly half of which involve children under the age of five according to AP. Symptoms include fever, headaches, coughing, breathing difficulties, and anemia.
Health teams have been deployed to the Panzi health zone in Kwango Province, where most cases are concentrated. However, the region is facing severe shortages of medical supplies, hampering response efforts. Local authorities are urging preventive measures such as regular handwashing, avoiding large gatherings, and refraining from handling deceased bodies without professional guidance.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has sent a team to the area to collect samples for laboratory analysis. Located 700 km from the capital, Kinshasa, Panzi is a remote area where 40% of the population suffers from malnutrition. While there have been no reports of the disease spreading to neighboring regions, health authorities remain on high alert and are strengthening monitoring efforts.
This summary is based on publicly available reports, including from the BBC and AP. For more details, refer to the original reports from BBC and AP.
→ Article in BBC (5 December 2024)
Unknown flu-like disease kills at least 79 people in DR Congo
→ Article in AP (6 December 2024)
Health officials investigate mystery disease in southwest Congo after