Mysterious flu-like illness kills dozens in Congo, authorities on “full alert” as investigation proceeds

Congo Kinshasa – Congo's health minister said Thursday that the country's government is on alert for a mysterious flu-like illness that has killed dozens of people in recent weeks, nearly half of them children. Health Minister Roger Kamba said authorities had confirmed 71 deaths so far, 27 in hospitals and 44 in communities in the southern province of Kwango.

“The Congolese government remains generally vigilant against this disease,” Kamba said, without providing further details.

Kamba said that of the hospitalized victims, 10 died due to lack of blood transfusions and 17 died due to respiratory problems.

Symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, cough and anemia, authorities said. The health minister said epidemiologists were collecting samples and investigating the disease in the area.

Congo has Haunted by the mpox epidemicThe Central African country has more than 47,000 suspected cases and more than 1,000 suspected deaths, according to the World Health Organization.

relevant national authorities Start vaccinating people with MPOX vaccine In October, nearly two months after the epidemic spread from Congo to Africa several African and other countries The World Health Organization declared a global emergency.