A recent outbreak of an undiagnosed illness in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is on the radar of public health professionals. Preparedness is key to mitigating the issue.

Photo: Testing for malnourishment in Democratic Republic of the Congo. Image courtesy of DFID – UK Department for International Development,

A recent outbreak of an undiagnosed illness in the Panzi health zone of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has captured global attention, spotlighting the challenges of outbreak investigations in resource-limited settings. Since late October, over 400 cases have been reported, predominantly among children under five years old. Symptoms such as fever, cough, and body aches have resulted in 31 deaths, with severe malnutrition compounding the crisis.

This outbreak highlights the critical need for strong global public health systems to detect and respond to emerging health threats. Although the cause remains uncertain, investigators are exploring various possibilities, including endemic diseases like malaria and respiratory infections such as acute pneumonia, influenza, COVID-19, and measles. Malnutrition is thought to play a significant role in worsening disease severity. Laboratory testing is ongoing, and health officials are evaluating whether multiple diseases may be contributing to the cases and fatalities reported.

Read more here from an article in the New York Academy of Sciences: https://www.nyas.org/ideas-insights/blog/unraveling-the-mystery-in-the-drcs-disease-outbreak-is-it-disease-x/

Photo: Roger Samuel Kamba, Minister of Public Health, Hygiene and Prevention.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is confronting a health crisis in the remote Panzi health zone of Kwango Province, where an undiagnosed illness has infected more than 400 people and killed at least 31, predominantly malnourished children under the age of five. The mystery “Disease X”—which may or may not be a new disease—causes symptoms such as fever, headache, cough, runny nose and body aches. The World Health Organization said in a press briefing on Tuesday that 10 out of 12 samples have tested positive for malaria, but it’s possible more than one disease is involved. The outbreak has raised pressing questions about the DRC’s ability to respond effectively to health emergencies in isolated areas.

Accessing Panzi is a formidable challenge, with poor road infrastructure requiring a multi-day journey from Kinshasa, the nation’s capital. “This is really the definition of remote,” says Placide Mbala, a virologist and head of epidemiology at the DRC’s National Institute of Biomedical Research. He explains that limited connectivity and delayed sample collection have hampered diagnosis efforts. Specimens collected initially were unsuitable for analysis, but a team from the DRC’s Ministry of Public Health has now gathered higher-quality samples, says Mbala, who is part of the team. Read more from the Publication, Scientific American, here .

At least 79 people have died from an unknown disease that is causing flu-like symptoms in south-western Democratic Republic of Congo, the health ministry says.

Media reports quoting the health ministry says the majority of people who have died are between the ages of 15 and 18.

More than 300 people have been infected with patients exhibiting symptoms like fever, headaches, runny noses and coughs, breathing difficulties and anaemia.

Response teams have been sent to Kwango Province, specifically the Panzi health zone, where the disease is most common, to manage cases and investigate the nature of the disease. Symphorien Manzanza, a civil society leader, told Reuters news agency the situation was worrying as the number of infected people continues to rise.

"Panzi is a rural health zone, so there is a problem with the supply of medicines," he said.

A World Health Organisation (WHO) Africa region official told the BBC they have "dispatched a team to the remote area to collect samples for lab investigations".

Authorities have urged the population to remain calm and vigilant. They urged people to wash their hands with soap, avoid mass gatherings, and avoid touching the bodies of the deceased without qualified health personnel.

A local MP told Top Congo Radio that about 67 people had fallen sick and died between 10 and 26 November. "It should be noted that Panzi hospital is short of medicines to cope with this epidemic. We really need assistance," said the MP.

For the first time, the East African Community (EAC) is operationalising its Rapidly Deployable Expert (RDE) Pool in response to an international public health emergency due to the spreading Mpox virus disease outbreak. EAC Partner States such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Burundi are particularly affected, with the DRC reporting over 7,000 confirmed cases by end of October 2024, around 40% of them among children under 15.

The Rapidly Deployable Expert (RDE) Pool is a specialized team of trained health professionals and other experts within the East African Community (EAC) that can be quickly mobilized to assist member states in managing public health emergencies. The RDE Pool brings together experts in fields like epidemiology, environment, IT, laboratory science, logistics, risk communication, and clinical management, providing immediate, hands-on support in disease surveillance, response coordination, and healthcare provision during outbreaks. By deploying the RDE Pool, EAC enhances regional preparedness and strengthens each member state's capacity to address complex health crises effectively and efficiently. Read more on this link .

The Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, spanning 30,000 square kilometers across Kenya’s Maasai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti, is a vital habitat with diverse landscapes, including savannahs, grasslands, riverine forests, and acacia woodlands. This ecosystem hosts the Great Migration, where millions of wildebeest, zebras, and other herbivores journey annually in search of food and water. This migration sustains numerous predators like lions and cheetahs, maintaining an ecological balance that exemplifies the region’s biodiversity. The ecosystem also supports species like elephants, giraffes, hippos, and a rich variety of bird species, creating a unique setting for intricate ecological interactions.

However, climate change threatens the stability of this ecosystem. A study featured in The Guardian, conducted by a research team from universities in Europe, IUCN, and Kenya Meteorological Department has examined the Mara-Serengeti’s weather patterns since 1913, noting increased temperatures, variable rainfall, and recurring severe droughts over recent decades. Average minimum temperatures have risen significantly, with Narok Town showing a 5.3°C increase from 1960 to 2024. Rainfall has also increased, alongside more frequent and intense droughts and floods, all of which are straining resources vital for wildlife and communities alike.

Global climate systems, especially the Southern Oscillation Index (which influences El Niño and La Niña events) and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), have exacerbated these extreme weather conditions. Since 1970, El Niño and La Niña events have become more intense and frequent, leading to unpredictable rainfall and drought cycles in East Africa. Additionally, a warming Indian Ocean has strengthened the IOD, contributing to more frequent severe floods and droughts. These intensified climate patterns, driven by global warming, disrupt traditional migration and breeding cycles, reduce water and vegetation availability, and heighten competition between wildlife and human communities.

The impact on the ecosystem is profound. Wildlife populations are declining as animals face shrinking habitats and limited resources. Field observations, historical data from Kenya’s Game Department, and district records show that extreme weather events have repeatedly coincided with notable shifts in wildlife distribution and population. The researchers systematically ruled out other factors like poaching, pollution, or disease, confirming that climate change is the main driver.

The Serengeti-Mara ecosystem stands at a critical juncture. Conservation efforts must adapt to mitigate the effects of climate change and ensure the long-term resilience of this biodiverse landscape. Balancing the needs of both wildlife and local communities is essential to preserving the ecosystem's health and supporting those who depend on it.

Read full article in The Guardian on this link .

In March 2023, Tanzania faced a Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak in the Kagera region, impacting nine confirmed cases and resulting in six deaths. Through swift response actions, led by the Government of Tanzania and supported by Africa CDC and other health partners, the outbreak was contained within 78 days. Key factors in this success included strong political leadership, robust partnerships across sectors, and efficient use of existing health programs and resources. Regular coordination, multi-sectoral collaboration, and transparent communication were also pivotal in managing the crisis effectively, setting a benchmark for handling future outbreaks.

More details in an article by Africa CDC on this link .

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to face a significant Mpox outbreak, with 23 of its 26 provinces reporting confirmed cases. According to a recent UNICEF Mpox situational report, as of October 2024, over 31,350 suspected cases and 992 deaths have been recorded, with a case fatality rate of 3.1%. In response, the report indicates, UNICEF has launched a vaccination campaign in eight health zones across three provinces, reaching 14,180 people, mostly frontline workers. However, testing challenges and limited resources hinder the ability to fully control the outbreak, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.

Eastern provinces, such as South Kivu and North Kivu, are witnessing a rise in case fatality rates, exacerbated by overcrowding, inadequate WASH infrastructure, and frequent cross-border movement. Vulnerable children, particularly those facing malnutrition or undiagnosed HIV, are at heightened risk of severe Mpox outcomes. Meanwhile, new hotspots continue to emerge in provinces like Haut Uele and Ituri.

In Tshopo province, where 79 deaths have been reported, UNICEF, in collaboration with local partners, has established nine treatment centers to curb the outbreak. Despite these efforts, the province still struggles with a high case fatality rate of 4.9%. UNICEF’s efforts to disseminate preventive messages have reached over 43 million people nationwide, raising awareness through various media channels.

The Mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) prompted swift action, with the arrival of 99,100 doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine in early September 2024. This critical shipment, facilitated by Africa CDC and UNICEF, marked the beginning of a large-scale vaccination campaign aimed at curbing the spread of the virus. The DRC’s Minister of Health, Samuel Roger Kamba, alongside key officials from Africa CDC and UNICEF, emphasized the importance of this milestone in protecting vulnerable populations, especially frontline health workers. The vaccines are seen as a crucial tool in the fight against the escalating epidemic, which has already resulted in thousands of cases and hundreds of deaths this year.

The JYNNEOS vaccine rollout follows Africa CDC's declaration of Mpox as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS) in August 2024. The vaccination campaign is part of a broader effort by the DRC Ministry of Health and international partners to mitigate the crisis, with a focus on protecting children and high-risk groups. By mid-September, the DRC is expected to have received a total of 200,000 vaccine doses. These actions underscore the commitment of African and international health organizations to control the outbreak and safeguard the health of communities across the country.

Read more from UNICEF Democratic Republic of the Congo Humanitarian Situation Report No. 2 (Mpox) of September - October 2024 on this link .