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Democratic Republic of Congo: Mystery Illness Could Be Severe Malaria
The DRC has a population of 115,403,027; 75% of them live under the poverty line. (Map: CIA)
Health officials are narrowing in on the cause of dozens of unexplained deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that a severe form of malaria is likely responsible.
The illness was considered a mystery for weeks. It has killed at least 37 people and sickened 592. Local authorities previously told Reuters that the death toll exceeded 140.
Health officials in Africa have been referring to the illness as “Disease X” while awaiting test results.
Concurrent health issues among the population, such malnutrition and known viral infections, could exacerbate the illnesses.
Millions of displaced people live in places like Bulengo IDP Camp. (Photo: Concern Worldwide)
An Anopheles stephensi mosquito feeding on a human host. (Photo: alchetron)
Mosquitos are man’s greatest acme predator. Mosquito-borne diseases kill more than one million people and infect up to 700 million each year – almost one in ten people. As the planet warms and climate change lengthens the mosquito season, the world’s deadliest creature will expand its geographical range to new regions and re-emerge in areas where mosquito numbers had subsided for decades.
Sources:
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/congo-disease-outbreak-severe-malaria-rcna183299
https://www.cdc.gov/global-health/impact/fighting-the-worlds-deadliest-animal.html