WHo reports undiagnosed disease outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo: 406 Cases and 31 Deaths

Kwango: The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that between October 24 and December 5, 2024, Panzi health zone in Kwango Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), recorded 406 cases of an undiagnosed disease with symptoms of fever, headache, cough, runny nose, and body aches.

Among these cases, 31 deaths have been reported, resulting in a case fatality rate of 7.6%. The majority of cases are in children, particularly those under five years old. All severe cases were reported to be severely malnourished. As the disease continues to spread, rapid response teams have been deployed to identify the underlying cause and strengthen the response.

The area is remote and difficult to access, especially during the rainy season, with the journey from Kinshasa taking an estimated 48 hours by road. These logistical challenges, along with limited diagnostic facilities in the region, have delayed the identification of the disease.

The clinical presentation and symptoms, coupled with a significant number of associated deaths, have prompted the consideration of several potential causal factors, including acute pneumonia, influenza, COVID-19, measles, and malaria, with malnutrition contributing to the severity of cases.

“The outbreak is ongoing, and we are deploying rapid response teams to strengthen the response,” said Dr. Urvi Shah, a WHO representative in DRC. The disease’s spread has been exacerbated by severe food insecurity in the region, with the IPC classification of food insecurity increasing from IPC 1 to IPC 3 (Crisis Level) in September 2024.

The area also suffers from low vaccination coverage and limited access to quality healthcare services. Additionally, malaria, which is common in this region, is being closely examined as a possible contributing factor.

“Key to controlling this outbreak is active case search, surveillance, and rapid response to the community deaths we are investigating,” Dr. Shah emphasized. The disease has been predominantly reported in nine of the 30 health areas in Panzi, with the highest number of cases occurring in Tsakala Panzi, Makitapanzi, and Kanzangi. Among those infected, 64.3% are children under 14 years old, and 71% of deaths are among children under 15, with 54.8% of those being under five years old.

WHO has sent multidisciplinary teams from both the provincial and national levels to investigate the outbreak, with specialists providing medication to support case management and prevent more deaths.

“We are working with local leaders to ensure effective public health practices and address community fears,” stated Dr. James C. Paulson, WHO’s Head of Disease Control. “The priority is to control the outbreak and prevent its spread, including across borders into Angola,” he added.

Laboratory tests are underway, and sample shipments have been sent to Kinshasa for analysis. Malaria and COVID-19 rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) have been provided to help with diagnosis. “This is a critical moment to enhance the diagnostic capacity and ensure that all suspected causes, including influenza and other respiratory infections, are ruled out,” Dr. Paulson noted.

The response also includes strengthening infection prevention and control (IPC) measures in health facilities. “We have briefed healthcare workers on IPC practices, including mask usage, hand hygiene, and proper use of gloves to minimize the risk of transmission,” said Dr. Shah. These practices are essential in reducing the spread of the disease, especially in health settings.

A significant part of the response involves community engagement and risk communication. “We are working closely with local communities to raise awareness about respiratory symptoms and the importance of seeking medical care early,” Dr. Shah said.

Targeted messages about prevention and treatment are being disseminated through local leaders and sensitization campaigns. Additionally, the WHO is addressing misinformation and fears surrounding the outbreak to ensure effective community collaboration.

“Effective case management requires an adequate supply of essential medications to support treatment and prevent more deaths,” Dr. Shah added. "We are also reinforcing surveillance and collecting data to better understand the disease's progression, ensuring that we can respond more effectively in the coming weeks."

Ongoing investigations are needed to clarify the exact cause of the outbreak. The possibility of multiple diseases contributing to the cases remains, and additional laboratory tests are essential to rule out or confirm the suspected pathogens.

The WHO continues to stress the importance of coordinated efforts, both nationally and internationally, to tackle this outbreak and prevent further spread across the region.

“Strengthening logistics for the timely delivery of resources and ensuring the security of response teams are critical next steps in addressing this outbreak,” Dr. Shah concluded.