2024 Kwango province malaria outbreak
| 2024 Kwango province disease outbreak | |
|---|---|
Location of the main impacted province, in red | |
| Disease | Malaria |
| Location | Kwango, Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Dates | 24 October 2024[1] – ongoing |
| Suspected cases‡ | 1000[2] |
Deaths | 31[3]–143 |
| ‡Suspected cases have not been confirmed by laboratory tests as being due to this strain, although some other strains may have been ruled out. | |
An outbreak of a severe type of malaria began in October 2024 in the southwestern region of Kwango Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The cause of the outbreak was initially unidentified, raising concerns that it could be a novel pathogen and leading some to refer to it as "Disease X".[4][5] The outbreak has been primarily in the Panzi rural health zone and prompted investigation by local and international health organizations. Estimates of fatalities vary from 31[3] to 143 fatalities by 5 December.[6][7] On 5 December, the disease was reported as having spread to Katenda, also in the Kwango Province.[8] On 10 December, the disease was reported to have spread to Mai-Ndombe Province.[9] From 5–12 December, 147 new cases were reported, a 30 case increase from the week before.[10]
On 17 December, Congo's health ministry confirmed the outbreak was caused by a severe form of malaria, worsened by malnutrition.[11] Later reports suggested that influenza may also be contributing to the outbreak.[12]
- ^ Cullinan, Kerry (5 December 2024). "DRC Expects Diagnosis Of 'Disease X' By Weekend; Mpox Continues To Spread". Health Policy Watch. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ "'Disease X' Is Major Congo Public-Health Worry, Africa CDC Says". 12 December 2024 – via www.bloomberg.com.
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
who8decwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Janice Kew; Jason Gale (7 December 2024). "Mystery Flu-Like 'Disease X' Investigated After Killing 79 in Congo". Bloomberg News.
- ^ "Mysterious disease in DRC is severe malaria, health authorities say". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
- ^ "Health officials investigate mystery disease in southwest Congo after 143 deaths". AP News. 3 December 2024. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
- ^ "Unknown disease in DRC leaves dozens dead, officials say". euronews. 3 December 2024. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
- ^ Kamale, Jean-Yves; Pronczuk, Monika (5 December 2024). "Congo government says it's 'on alert' over mystery flu-like disease that killed dozens". Associated Press. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
ACP1was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "'Disease X' Is Major Congo Public-Health Worry, Africa CDC Says". 12 December 2024 – via www.bloomberg.com.
- ^ DRC health ministry says mystery disease is ‘severe’ form of malaria
- ^ "Deadly, unknown disease in DR Congo may be linked to influenza". The Independent Uganda. 21 December 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2024.