A recent outbreak of a disease with flu-like symptoms including fever, headache, cough, runny nose and muscle pain has occurred in the Panzi area of Kwango province in the southwest of the Democratic Republic of Congo. As of early December 2024, the disease has caused 416 cases and 75 deaths, mostly in children under 14 years old.
Initial tests showed that out of 12 samples, 9 were positive for malaria. However, due to the poor quality of the samples, medical experts said that further research is needed to determine the exact cause of the disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) also stated that malaria may be associated with the cases, but did not rule out the possibility of a combination of many other diseases.
The area where the outbreak occurred is rural and remote, with poor health care, low vaccination rates, and recent food shortages, leading to severe malnutrition in many children. These factors make children vulnerable to diseases such as malaria and other infections.
The Vietnamese Ministry of Health is closely monitoring the development of an outbreak of unknown cause in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to information from the Department of Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health, WHO has announced the outbreak, with symptoms such as fever, headache, cough, runny nose and muscle pain, mainly affecting children under 5 years old and severely malnourished people.
Initial testing showed that 10 of the 12 samples tested positive for malaria, a common disease in the region. WHO said malaria could be the cause or a contributor to the cases.
The Vietnamese Ministry of Health is working with the WHO and international organizations to update information and assess risks. The General Department of Preventive Medicine will continue to monitor the epidemic situation and, if necessary, propose appropriate response measures to protect public health.
"In case of new developments, the Department of Preventive Medicine will coordinate with the World Health Organization, the US CDC and relevant units to assess the risks and propose appropriate responses, including strengthening medical quarantine work," said Dr. Hoang Minh Duc - Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine.
