A mystery disease has killed 92 people, mostly children under 15, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since October 24, 2024. According to the Congolese Ministry of Health, which reported 376 cases, the disease is concentrated in the Panzi region, about 700 km southeast of Kinshasa, the capital. The undiagnosed illness shares symptoms with the flu, including fever, headache, runny nose, cough, difficulty breathing, and anemia. 

Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba told the press on December 5 that the illness has a mortality rate of 8%, which means it is unlikely to be Covid. However, he said the Ministry is on “maximum alert” and has dispatched a team to the affected area.  

The team regroups agents from the Institut national de la santé publique (INSP) and the Centre des opérations d'urgence de la santé publique (COUSP). They manage reported cases, collect samples for laboratory analysis, and conduct field investigations to diagnose the illness. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also sent a team to assist with laboratory investigations.

Fighting the new disease will put more pressure on DR Congo which already deals with Mpox. According to the WHO, the latter might have already claimed 1,000 lives, out of over 47,000 reported cases.

Both crises will strain the country’s public finances like Covid did a few years ago. Indeed, the pandemic had caused DR Congo’s health spending to explode by 1,348%.

The situation could also stress DR Congo’s foreign currency reserves, as most equipment, medicines, and vaccines to tackle epidemics are imported. To facilitate foreign purchases, countries must possess currency accepted in the purchasing territory—usually obtained through exporting goods or services or through borrowing.

Congolese health authorities are currently focused on identifying the source of the mystery illness, to see if it is viral or bacterial. According to Dieudonne Mwamba, director general of the National Public Health Institute.

In the meantime, the Health Ministry warned people in the affected area to avoid large gatherings and maintain healthy hygiene practices. They were also urged to report suspected cases to local health authorities. 

As health officials remain on high alert regarding both outbreaks, they emphasize the need for rigorous hygiene practices and community cooperation to manage the public health threats, effectively.

This article was initially published in French by Pierre Mukoko.

Edited by: Ola Schad Akinocho