The disease, which presents with flu-like symptoms such as fever, headaches, and a persistent cough, has affected individuals of all ages, including children. The cases have been concentrated in the Panzi region, located about 700 kilometers (435 miles) southeast of the capital, Kinshasa. This area has limited healthcare facilities, which has compounded efforts to control the outbreak.
The National Institute of Public Health reported on Tuesday that 382 people have been affected by the illness since it was first detected on October 24, with 27 confirmed deaths. However, local authorities believe the death toll could be higher. According to provincial health minister Apollinaire Yumba, local sources have reported up to 67 deaths.
A team of epidemiologists has been dispatched to the region to investigate the outbreak. Yumba urged residents not to panic but to take precautions to prevent further spread. "Movement into and out of the affected health zone must be restricted," he said. "People should avoid physical greetings and practice regular handwashing."
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also mobilized a response, working alongside Congolese officials to understand the nature of the disease. "We have sent a team to collect samples for laboratory testing," a WHO spokesperson told AFP.
The DRC, one of the world’s poorest nations, has recently been grappling with an mpox outbreak that has resulted in more than 1,000 deaths.
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