Mysterious flu outbreak in Congo kills dozens, investigation continues – National
A flu-like disease that has killed dozens of people over the past two weeks is being investigated in southwestern Congo, local authorities said.
The death was recorded between Nov. 10 and November 25 in Panzi health area in Kwango province. Symptoms include fever, headache, cough and anemia, provincial health minister Apollinaire Yumba told reporters at the weekend.
The deputy governor of the province, Rémy Saki, told the Associated Press on Tuesday that between 67 and 143 people had died.
“A team of epidemiological experts is expected to take samples and diagnose the problem,” he added.
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Uyumba advised the public to be cautious and avoid touching dead bodies to avoid infection. He asked his national and international partners to send medical supplies to deal with the health crisis.
Congo has already been hit by the mpox epidemic, with more than 47,000 suspected cases and more than 1,000 suspected deaths from the disease in the Central African country, according to the World Health Organization.
The WHO is aware of the unknown disease and has a team working on the ground with local health services to collect samples, according to an agency official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
© 2024 The Canadian Press
