A mysterious illness that has infected nearly 600 people, mostly children, in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been officially identified as a severe form of malaria. The outbreak, which began in October, has resulted in 143 deaths. The DRC health ministry stated that it is a case of severe malaria in the form of a respiratory illness, echoing preliminary test results from last week. Symptoms reported in this outbreak are similar to influenza, including headaches, coughing and shortness of breath.
his little sister nearby in a photo taken in March 2006, in Lukutu, DRC . On the 17th of December 2024, a mystery illness that has infected nearly 600 people in the Panzi health zone in Kwango province in the DRC has been officially identified as a severe form of malaria, the DRC health ministry says. A mystery illness found in a remote part of the Democratic Republic of Congo has been officially identified as a severe form of malaria.
Malaria is endemic in the DRC. The parasite Plasmodium is transmitted to humans primarily through the bites of infected mosquitoes. People who have malaria usually feel very sick with a high fever and shaking chills. The main symptoms reported in this particular outbreak are similar to those of influenza, with patients suffering from headaches, coughing and shortness of breath. “” is included as a common respiratory symptom in severe cases of malaria, according to the World Health Organization.
The concern globally had been that the hitherto unknown illness was perhaps a novel or mutated respiratory viral disease of some sort. But identifying malaria as the culprit should allay fears of a wider epidemic. Malaria’s mode of transmission, through mosquito bites, limits its ability to spread rapidly and widely compared to airborne viruses.
MALARIA DRC OUTBREAK HEALTH MINISTRY RESPIRATORY ILLNESS
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
What's the mystery illness sweeping through DRC, baffling health experts?WHO experts have rushed to a remote African region to figure out what’s the disease that is making people sick and killed dozens till now.
Read more »
DRC, mystery disease and what can be done to stop deadly pathogens?WHO officials stress that malnutrition and limited access to healthcare may be worsening disease outcomes.
Read more »
Brandi Glanville Battles Mystery Illness, Doctors Suspect ParasiteFormer 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' star Brandi Glanville is fighting for her health after a trip to Africa triggered a mysterious illness that has disfigured her face. Doctors suspect a parasite but are unsure of the cause.
Read more »
Jamie Foxx Details Terrifying ‘Mystery Illness’ in Netflix Special: ‘I Don’t Remember 20 Days’Jamie Foxx finally opens up about the mysterious illness that befell him in 2023, explaining in his new Netflix special that it was a brain bleed.
Read more »
Jamie Foxx reveals ‘mystery illness’ that left him hospitalized for weeks in new Netflix specialOscar-winning actor and comedian Jamie Foxx is opening up for the first time in his new stand-up special on Netflix about his mysterious health scare. NBC’s Liz Kreutz reports for TODAY.
Read more »
Jamie Foxx Reveals 'Mystery Illness' That Left Him in a WheelchairJamie Foxx opened up about his 2023 health scare, in which he actor explained that he suffered a stroke after brain bleeding. He had to learn how to walk again and can't remember 20 days of his life.
Read more »