DRC: Death toll from unknown disease reaches 143

The number of people who have died from a mysterious illness in the southwestern province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has risen to 143. The death toll has continued to rise as the health minister announced that a team of experts has been sent to determine the true origin of the disease.

However, the government said in a press release on December 4 that the disease has caused 79 deaths. The DRC government notes that most of the victims are children over the age of 15. So far, 376 people have been affected by this still unknown disease. It is since Sunday, November 10 that the first deaths were reported in the Panzi health area, in the Kasongo-Lunda region.

Health Minister Samuel Kamba Roger said in a statement released on Wednesday that the symptoms of the disease could indicate several infectious diseases, including measles and Ebola, all of which have caused great concern in DR Congo.

He added that the government has sent a team of epidemiologists to assess the situation and determine the origin of the disease. He has confirmed that this outbreak has already caused the deaths of 79 people, which has alarmed the Kwango regional government.