Undiagnosed “X” disease in Congo is a severe form of malaria - DRC Ministry of Health
Kyiv • UNN
In the DR Congo, the cause of a mysterious disease that killed 143 people has been identified - a severe form of malaria. 592 cases of the disease have been registered, with a mortality rate of 6.2%.
The mortality rate is already over 6%; most of the victims are children under the age of 10.
Transmits to UNN with reference to ABC.
The Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has announced that the mysterious “X” disease is a “severe” form of malaria. Experts say that it is malnutrition in the southwestern province of Kwango that has made the local population vulnerable to the disease.
The authorities clarified that the disease caused the deaths of at least 143 people in November.
“The mystery has finally been solved. This is a case of severe malaria in the form of a respiratory disease,” the health ministry said in a statement on Tuesday, adding that malnutrition in the area had weakened the local population, making them more vulnerable to disease.
According to the DRC's Ministry of Health, a total of 592 cases have been reported since the outbreak began in October, with a mortality rate of 6.2%, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has provided antimalarial drugs. In addition, the organization plans to provide more tests to diagnose cases with both a severe and moderate prognosis.
For reference
Malaria still kills nearly 600,000 people a year worldwide, and 12% of these deaths occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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