The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is facing an unprecedented health crisis with the emergence of a mysterious disease that has already caused more than 140 deaths and infected hundreds. This phenomenon, described as a "unknown public health problem”, is generating unrest both nationally and internationally.

Located in a remote region of Kwango province, this disease has primarily affected children and people with weakened immune systems, further increasing the vulnerability of already fragile communities. This situation occurs in a context of extreme poverty, where sanitation and health conditions are insufficient to contain the spread of disease.

Despite the efforts of several international organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Union (EU), the response has been hampered by a lack of infrastructure, the complexity of the terrain, and the absence of clear laboratory diagnostics.

The Crisis in Kwango

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The DRC, a country that borders Angola, is in “maximum alert"following the detection of a mysterious disease that has already caused dozens of deaths in just over a month, according to the latest estimates, said the Congolese Minister of Public Health, Samuel Mulamba.

On the other hand, the head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Jean Kaseya, explained that “the first diagnoses” point to “a respiratory disease”, but they are necessary “laboratory results".

The disease is “still of unknown origin” and was detected in late October in the province of Kwango, in the southwest of the DRC, presents flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, cough, breathing difficulties and anemia.

According to the DRC Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene, and Social Security, cases are concentrated in the Panzi region, about 700 kilometers from the capital, Kinshasa. This difficult-to-access area has poor health infrastructure and a population living in extreme poverty, lacking medicine and drinking water.

According to the first available data, the mysterious disease mainly affects younger people, with 40% of cases occurring in children under five years of age, however, most deaths were recorded among children over 15 years of age.

“We are on high alert, we consider this to be an epidemic level that we need to monitor.”

Health Minister Samuel Mulamba declared.

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Since the declaration of a health alert on October 25, 2024, teams of epidemiologists and laboratory experts have been sent to the region to try to identify the origin and transmission modes of the disease. The National Institute of Public Health is analyzing samples collected in Panzi, but so far there is no conclusive diagnosis.

Experts have ruled out COVID-19, malaria, and measles, but early evidence points to a possible respiratory illness. Local efforts are hampered by a lack of resources and widespread malnutrition, which weakens the population's immunity.

“The region is very fragile, with more than 40% of its inhabitants suffering from chronic malnutrition.”

Dieudonne Mwamba, director-general of the National Institute of Public Health, said during an online press conference held by the African Union's health watchdog, the Africa CDC.

“We don’t even know if we’re dealing with a viral or bacterial disease,” he added.

The situation has also attracted the attention of international organizations, such as the European Union (EU), which has already declared that it is closely monitoring the case, mobilizing experts from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and working together with the World Health Organization (WHO).

 “We are obviously monitoring the situation closely.”

EU spokesperson Eva Hrncirova said. The WHO, in turn, has sent a team of epidemiologists, laboratory scientists, and infection control experts to support the Congolese authorities. The priority, according to Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, is "provide effective support to affected families and communities” and implement control and surveillance measures.

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The DRC has already faced other significant health challenges: it was hit by a typhoid epidemic two years ago, malaria is recurrent, and recently there has been an alarming increase in seasonal flu.

In addition to the mysterious disease, the DRC is also dealing with an Mpox outbreak that has caused more than 1.000 deaths and infected 47.000 people since the beginning of the year. This situation is exacerbated by the fragile health system, which lacks sufficient capacity to respond to multiple crises simultaneously.

These diseases are exacerbated by the population's precarious living conditions, such as limited access to drinking water, lack of basic sanitation, and lack of nutritious food. Approximately 60% of the population in affected areas suffers from malnutrition, making them more susceptible to infectious diseases.

The response to public health problems in the DRC is also hampered by decades of political and economic instability that have significantly reduced investment in health services.

Rural regions like Panzi have suffered disproportionately due to their remote location and lack of effective communication routes. International efforts, while vital, are often temporary and insufficient to address long-term structural challenges.

The combination of these conditions renders the country's health system incapable of dealing with simultaneous crises, leaving the DRC in a particularly vulnerable position. Experts believe that strengthening health infrastructure and implementing prevention policies are crucial steps to avoid future health catastrophes.

“We don’t even know the mode of transmission.”

Jean Kaseya, head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), admitted: "Although experts are stepping up efforts to identify the disease, uncertainty remains. The lack of definitive laboratory results and the absence of vaccines or specific treatments leave the population in a situation of increasing vulnerability."