New WHO report says cause of mystery illness in the Congo probably is common respiratory viruses … [+]
The mysterious disease affecting individuals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is likely caused by a respiratory virus worsened by malaria and malnutrition, as revealed in a report released by the WHO on Friday. This contrasts with earlier suggestions that the illness known as “disease X” was caused by severe malaria. The current report aligns with the Africa CDC’s hypothesis that the illness may stem from a viral infection in the presence of malaria and malnutrition.
Laboratory results indicated that 64 out of 89 samples (72%) from patients tested positive for common respiratory viruses, with influenza A virus, rhinoviruses, and SARS-CoV-2 virus (which causes Covid-19) being the most prevalent. Additionally, over 60% of the samples showed signs of malaria, a disease primarily caused by Plasmodium falciparum and prevalent in the DRC, where around 12% of global malaria cases and deaths occur. Children bear the brunt of the malaria burden in the country.
The WHO report also updates on the current situation, revealing 891 cases and 48 fatalities. The disease predominantly affects children under five, with half of the cases and deaths in this age group. Among adults, 66% of cases are in women, likely due to mothers caring for sick children. The outbreak is confined to the Kwango Province.
The disease’s severity in children is exacerbated by malnutrition, as per the WHO report, which notes a decline in food security and rising acute malnutrition levels in the affected area. Approximately 4.5 million children under five in the DRC face or will face acute malnutrition, with over three and a half million pregnant or breastfeeding women at risk of severe malnutrition. Such food insecurity worsens outcomes for various infectious diseases.
The WHO report concludes that the local community faces a high risk, while national, regional, and global risks are low.
While the report links the mystery disease to common respiratory viruses, further investigations are necessary, as only a limited number of patient samples have been analyzed. Continuous surveillance, testing, and consideration of factors influencing disease severity are vital. The available data suggests the disease is not caused by a new pathogen but underscores the heightened impact known pathogens can have on vulnerable populations.
