The United Nations has sent a health team to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where a mysterious illness has killed more than 31 people, mostly children.

This flu-like disease has caused concern among health experts due to its high infection and mortality rates. While the World Health Organization (WHO) refers to it as an “uncontrolled disease”, many experts are referring to it as ‘Disease X’, a hypothetical pathogen that represents the unknown.

On 29 November, the Congolese Ministry of Public Health alerted WHO about increasing deaths of unknown cause. 406 cases of fever, headache, cough, runny nose and body aches were reported among people in a remote area of ​​Kwango province, and 31 people died.

According to WHO, based on the current context of the affected area and the broad presentation of symptoms, many suspected diseases need to be ruled out through further investigation and laboratory testing.

These include, but are not limited to, measles, influenza, acute pneumonia (respiratory tract infection), hemolytic uremic syndrome from E. coli, COVID-19, and malaria.

Its outbreak still continues. WHO said all serious cases were reported to be of malnutrition.

According to the health agency, the outbreak occurred in a region facing severe food shortages, low vaccination rates and poor access to medical tests and treatment.

The region is also struggling with shortages of medical supplies, transportation and health workers. Efforts to control malaria in the area are also very limited.

Patients usually show symptoms like fever, cough, fatigue and runny nose. Major symptoms associated with death include difficulty breathing, anemia and signs of acute malnutrition.

All about ‘Disease X’

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, world health leaders are turning their attention to a mysterious and potentially more devastating threat: Disease X.

It is included in WHO’s high-risk disease list along with Ebola and Zika viruses. It was used for the first time to prepare the world for a potential pathogen that could cause a pandemic or an epidemic even deadlier than COVID-19.

Although WHO has not identified which virus can cause Disease X, experts believe it is most likely to be a respiratory virus, as these have the highest survival rates.

It was previously reported that the University of Oxford is investigating modifying the vaccine designed for COVID-19 to address Disease X. They are also in the process of discovering other vaccines to counter future threats.