Further lab tests show severe malaria and malnutrition behind unexplained DR Congo outbreak

Further lab results on samples from patients sickened in an unexplained illness outbreak in a remote part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) suggest a severe form of malaria, Reuters reported today, citing a statement from the health ministry.

Officials also said malnutrition was one of the factors in the illnesses, and that the current case total is 592 with a case-fatality rate of 6.2%.

The outbreak in Kwango province's Panzi health district began in late October, and DRC health officials first learned of the outbreak in early December. Symptoms included fever, headache, cough, breathing problems, and weakness.

Difficult road conditions amid the rainy season have made it hard for investigators to access the area, which has poor communication and little lab testing capacity. Initial samples suggested malaria. Some of the first samples that reached the National Institute for Biomedical Research (INRB) in Kinshasa were of poor quality, and more samples, including respiratory specimens, were collected and sent to the lab. More complete results were expected this week.