Health alert in Tuscany: Is Disease X” on the rise?

Health alert in Tuscany: Is Disease X” on the rise?

Health alert in Tuscany: There is worrying news in Italy about a mysterious illness called “Disease X”. A man who recently returned from Africa and had flu-like symptoms was admitted to hospital in Lucca. As the website krone.at reports, the patient was treated and discharged between November 22nd and December 3rd. Now his samples are being examined for the potential that he is infectious with the new disease that has now caused numerous deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Health authorities in Italy informed the Supreme Institute of Health (ISS) in Rome about this.

A worrying spread in Congo

Meanwhile, reports are increasing from Congo, where over 130 people have died from an illness now only known as “Disease X,” as the Süddeutsche Zeitung reports. The disease shows flu-like symptoms and first appeared in the remote Panzi region in late October. Although health facilities in the country are working under extreme conditions, the situation is alarming: the number of infected people is steadily increasing and could already be close to 400, including many children. In view of these dramatic circumstances, organizations like Action Plus are calling on the population to remain calm and follow hygiene rules.

The causes of the disease are still unclear. Health Minister Roger Kamba did not rule out that it could be a dangerous form of seasonal flu. However, other diseases are also being investigated as possible causes, including respiratory pathogens such as influenza or coronavirus. WHO is actively involved and has deployed support teams to understand transmission routes and address public health challenges on the ground. The situation remains critical and health authorities are on high alert.