Disease outbreak in Congo: Italy on alert!

A first suspicion of a mysterious illness in Italy. Symptoms primarily affect children; WHO examines causes.
A first suspicion of a mysterious illness in Italy. Symptoms primarily affect children; WHO examines causes. (Symbolbild/DNAT)

Disease outbreak in Congo: Italy on alert!

In Italy there are alarming news: the enigmatic disease "X", which has been spreading in the Democratic Republic of Congo since the end of October, now also seems to have reached Europe. A man from Lucca (Tuscany), who recently returned from Africa, was treated due to flu -like symptoms. From November 22nd to December 3, he was in medical care before he was released. Italian health authorities have already taken samples of the sick who are currently being examined in Rome, such as Vol.at

In the Congo, thousands of people are acute, especially children under the age of 15. Dozens have already died, and the WHO has at least 31 deaths in health facilities and at least 44 additional deaths that died at home. The symptoms include fever, breathing difficulties and extreme anemia. On the other hand, many patients also fight under malnutrition, which also tightens the problem. Minister of Health and Experts are on site to get to the bottom of the causes of this outbreak in the Kwango region. Currently rehearsals from this particularly affected region have been examined for their pathogens, however, conclusions have not yet been drawn, such as SRF

causes and challenges of health care

The hypotheses about the origin of the wave of disease range from violent flu to an acute form of pneumonia to a possible rebuild from Covid-19 or malaria. The possibility of zoonose, in which a pathogen from wild animals jumps to humans, is also considered. Particularly worrying is the malnutrition in the region, which significantly weakens not only the general health of the population, but also their vaccination protection. Because of the poor infrastructure and the current rainy season, the journey to the affected areas is extremely difficult, which makes rapid help further difficult.

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OrtLucca, Italien
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