New killer disease has reached Europe

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A completely new type of disease has been spreading in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since October. The previously unknown epidemic “Disease X” with flu-like symptoms is said to have already killed 143 people.

Now, a case from Italy has come to light: A man who returned from Africa with symptoms of “disease X” has been admitted to a hospital in Tuscany in recent days. According to Italian media reports, the Italian was treated at the hospital in Lucca from November 22 to December 3. The hospital informed the Supreme Institute of Health (ISS) in Rome. The samples taken from the patient are now being examined there.

Because of the rising number of cases and many unanswered questions about “Disease X” in the Congo, the health organization Action Plus has called on the local population not to panic. Experts are trying to identify the disease. They are working hard with the health authorities in the affected province of Kwango to “find out the true nature of this disease,” said Jude Tshangata, coordinator of the civil society organization.

The mysterious disease, which mainly affects children up to the age of 15, manifests itself through symptoms such as fever, headaches, breathing problems, and anemia. According to Dieudonné Mwamba, Director General of the Central African country’s Institute of Public Health, infants and young children comprise a particularly high proportion of those affected.

Meanwhile, the WHO announced that, based on the symptoms, “acute pneumonia, influenza, COVID-19, measles, and malaria are being considered as possible causes.” Malaria is a common disease in the region and could “possibly have caused or contributed to the cases.”

Malaria causes recurrent outbreaks in the area, claiming many lives. “Laboratory tests are currently being carried out to determine the exact cause. At this stage, it is also possible that more than one disease is contributing to the cases and deaths.”