Health officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo are also grappling with a mysterious, flu-like disease that has killed dozens, with women and children among the most affected. Health officials have begun referring to the mysterious illness as “Disease X.” Africa CDC has recorded a total of 79 deaths caused by the illness, while local officials told Reuters that 143 have died. The deaths were reported in the Kwango province, which is located in the southwestern portion of the country and shares a border with Angola to the south.
A spokesperson for the World Health Organization (WHO) told Reuters that the agency was alerted to the illnesses recently and that it’s working with local authorities to investigate. WHO currently has a team on the ground collecting samples for analysis, an anonymous WHO employee told the Associated Press.
While Jamaica’s health authorities have not made any official link with the disease ravaging parts of the African continent, questions are being raised in some quarters about the similarities with the local severe flu outbreak. The Freedom Come Rain will continue to monitor any development.
