The World Health Organization (WHO) has sent a team to the Democratic Republic of Congo to investigate a deadly respiratory illness being called “Disease X.” The outbreak has affected 406 people and caused 31 deaths, with young children most impacted.
Symptoms include fever, body aches, coughing, difficulty breathing, and anemia, resembling influenza. While most cases are in the remote Kwango Province, concerns have grown after a traveler from Congo fell ill overseas with similar symptoms.
“Disease X” is a term used for unknown pathogens that have the potential to cause pandemics. In this case, the illness could result from a known disease or multiple overlapping conditions. Testing is ongoing for malaria, influenza, measles, pneumonia, and COVID-19.
Efforts to address the outbreak have been hindered by the region’s isolation, located 48 hours from Kinshasa. Limited testing supplies delayed initial attempts to diagnose the illness, complicating the response.
Health officials are also examining whether malnutrition, common in the area, has made the outbreak more severe. Congo’s history of struggling with simultaneous epidemics has left its healthcare infrastructure ill-equipped for rapid response.
The WHO’s investigation aims to determine whether this is a localized outbreak or a potential global health threat. Authorities stress the importance of identifying the illness quickly to prevent further spread.
