Africa’s main health agency said malaria has been identified as a possible cause of a disease that has killed more than 80 people in southwestern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Victims of the previously unknown disease suffered flu-like symptoms. Such as fever, headache, difficulty in breathing and anemia.
The majority of samples tested indicated that they had contracted malaria – caused by a parasite carried by mosquitoes and endemic to the region – largely due to malnutrition. The shortage is exacerbating the situation.
However, health experts are not ruling out the possibility of other factors in Panzi Health Zone.
Concerns about the disease have been raised following the death of an adult male patient who exhibited symptoms associated with hemorrhagic fever.
Dr. Ngshi Ngungo from the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) told reporters on Thursday that this led to speculation about a possible viral infection alongside malaria.
Samples from the deceased patient have been sent to Congo’s capital Kinshasa for testing, with results expected next week.
The Africa CDC, the United Nations World Health Organization, and other agencies are intensifying investigations into the outbreak, with further testing ongoing.