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Mystery Disease In Congo Caused By Acute Respiratory Infections, Says WHO
A recent report from the World Health Organization (WHO) has shed light on the cause of a mysterious illness affecting people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. According to the report, the disease is likely caused by acute respiratory infections, exacerbated by malaria and malnutrition.
The assessment is at odds with earlier reports that suggested the illness was caused by severe malaria. The WHO’s findings align with the hypothesis proposed by the Africa CDC that the condition could be triggered by a viral infection in conjunction with malaria and malnutrition.
Laboratory tests revealed that 72% of samples obtained from patients tested positive for common respiratory viruses, including influenza A virus, rhinoviruses, or SARS-CoV-2 virus. Notably, over 60% of the analyzed samples also showed evidence of malaria infection. This is not unexpected, as malaria, typically caused by Plasmodium falciparum, is a significant public health burden in the DRC, with approximately 12% of all cases and deaths worldwide occurring within this country. The malarial burden is particularly high among children.
Unfortunately, the disease continues to pose a significant risk to local communities, with 891 reported cases and 48 deaths so far. The majority of these cases have occurred in children under the age of five, highlighting the devastating impact that malnutrition and poor health infrastructure can have on vulnerable populations.
The report also emphasizes the critical need for increased surveillance and testing in the affected area to further understand the dynamics of this illness.
Source: http://www.forbes.com
