WHO Provides Update on Mystery ‘Disease X’ That Has Left Dozens Dead in Congo
Officials from the World Health Organization (WHO) issued an update on an “undiagnosed disease” reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in recent weeks that has left dozens dead, saying “rapid response” teams are collecting samples. In a statement on Dec. 8, 2024 from the WHO, the U.N. health body said that the disease, dubbed by some media outlets and an African health body as “disease X” in recent days, had led to 406 cases, leaving 31 people dead, as of Dec. 5. The outbreak is primarily occurring in the Panzi health zone in Kwango province, described as a rural and remote area. Authorities in Congo have confirmed 71 deaths, including 27 people who died in hospitals and 44 in the community in the southern province of Kwango, Congolese Health Minister Roger Kamba said on Dec. 5. The deaths were recorded between Nov. 10 and Nov. 25 in the Panzi health zone. There were about 380 cases, almost half of whom were children younger than age 5, according to the health minister. Mea...