An illness called “Disease X” spreading in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Kwango Province has led to 31 deaths. There are more than 400 cases of the illness, according to a statement from the World Health Organization (WHO).
The “undiagnosed disease” is characterized by “fever, headache, cough, runny nose and body ache,” similar to the flu. Children have been most affected by the virus, the WHO said.
The organization dispatched rapid response teams to the region to assess the matter. “The teams are collecting samples for laboratory testing, providing a more detailed clinical characterization of the detected cases, investigating the transmission dynamics, and actively searching for additional cases, both within health facilities and at the community level,” the WHO said. “The teams are also aiding with the treatment of patients, risk communication and community engagement. Given the clinical presentation and symptoms reported, and a number of associated deaths, acute pneumonia, influenza, COVID-19, measles and malaria are being considered as potential causal factors with malnutrition as a contributing factor.”
A 50-year-old man from Italy is believed to have recovered from the illness after taking a business trip to the DRC.
American Faith reported that scientists from the U.K. aimed to halt potential pandemics by creating a prototype vaccine within 100 days of the outbreak. The target of the initiative was given the placeholder name of “Disease X.”
Professor Dame Jenny Harries, the head of the U.K. Health Security Agency (UKHSA), explained the project’s rationale. “What we’re trying to do here is ensure that we prepare. So that if we have a new Disease X, a new pathogen, we have done as much of that work in advance as possible. Hopefully we can prevent it [a pandemic]. But if we can’t and we have to respond, then we have already started developing vaccines and therapeutics to crack it,” she stated.
Some believed bird flu would be the next “Disease X.”
