The World Health Organization, WHO, reported Friday that it is deploying experts to assist health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. to investigate an as yet undiagnosed disease linked to multiple deaths in a remote area of the country.
WHO experts head to Panzi, a town in the southwestern province of Kwango, where they will deliver essential medicines and diagnostic kits.
Laboratory tests are being carried out to determine the cause, the WHO said, adding that he would share more information as soon as it became available.
“Our priority is to provide effective support to affected families and communities,” said Matshidiso Moeti, WHO regional director for Africa.
“All efforts are underway to identify the cause of the disease, cunderstand its modes of transmission and ensure an adequate response as soon as possible,” he added.
According to the WHO, 394 cases and 30 deaths have been recorded so far in the Panzi health zone, citing data from the Ministry of Public Health.
Earlier this week, local authorities said an unknown illness had killed 143 people in the region in November.
Symptoms of the disease include: dheadache, cough, fever, breathing difficulties and anemia, according to the WHO
