NAIROBI, Dec. 7 (AGCNewsNet) – The World Health Organization (WHO) has deployed a team of experts to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to assist local health authorities in investigating a deadly outbreak of a mysterious disease, currently referred to as "Disease X." 

The team, comprising epidemiologists, clinicians, laboratory technicians, and infection prevention specialists, will support monitoring and containment efforts in the affected region. 

Health officials first raised alarms last weekend over cases of a flu-like illness in the Panzi rural community, located in the southwest Kwango province, more than 430 miles from the capital, Kinshasa. As of Friday, the Congolese Health Ministry has reported 394 confirmed cases and 30 deaths, although unconfirmed reports suggest fatalities could be as high as 130, including deaths outside medical facilities. 

Symptoms of the illness include headache, cough, fever, breathing difficulties, and anemia. Preliminary investigations are exploring respiratory pathogens like influenza or COVID-19 as potential causes, though other diseases such as malaria and measles remain possibilities. 

Laboratory analysis of samples collected from affected patients is ongoing, with results expected this weekend, according to the Health Ministry. 

The WHO has been working alongside local health authorities in Kwango since late November, focusing on case identification and disease surveillance. This newly deployed expert team aims to bolster these efforts and help manage the outbreak effectively. 

Health Minister Roger Kamba confirmed that fatalities had also been reported outside of healthcare settings, indicating a possible underestimation of the outbreak's severity. 

The situation continues to evolve, and authorities are urging international vigilance as they await test results to identify the cause of the disease. 

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