A mystery disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s southwestern region has claimed 79 lives, the country’s health authorities have confirmed.
Those who had contracted the strange illness showed flu-like symptoms including runny noses, coughs, anaemia and difficulties breathing.
The health ministry said it had dispatched a team in the province of Kwango, the epicentre of the illness to investigate.
At least 300 people had contracted the disease and there are fears that this number is set to rise.
DRC’s health system is almost non-existent in rural areas, leaving communities relying on interventions by the World Health Organisation who have been to the affected province to collect samples for lab tests.
Meanwhile the Congolese health authorities have advised people to apply hygiene by washing their hands with soap, return to social distancing witnessed during the Ebola outbreak and stay clear of victims who are still alive or deceased.
WN/as/APA