# 13 International Hard News

Mystery flu-like disease in Congo kills dozens, puts authorities "on general alert" as cases investigated.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is grappling with a mysterious flu-like illness that has caused 71 deaths in the southern Kwango Province. Nearly half of the victims were children, with fatalities split between 27 hospital deaths and 44 occurring within the community. The symptoms and specific cause of the illness remain unclear, prompting an urgent response from Congolese health authorities CBS.

Health Minister Roger Kamba announced that the government is on high alert and working to investigate the outbreak. Efforts include deploying healthcare teams to affected areas, collecting samples for analysis, and coordinating with international health organizations to identify and contain the illness. Given the high proportion of child victims, there is growing concern about the impact on vulnerable populations.

This outbreak adds to the existing public health challenges in the DRC, which has faced repeated crises such as Ebola and measles epidemics in recent years. The situation highlights the need for stronger healthcare infrastructure and timely international support to mitigate the risks of widespread contagion and further fatalities India Times.