The illness, which began spreading in late October, has claimed dozens of lives and primarily affects children under five years old.

In its latest statement, WHO revealed that tests conducted on 430 samples identified multiple pathogens, including Influenza A (H1N1), rhinoviruses, SARS-CoV-2 (the virus causing COVID-19), parainfluenza viruses, and Human Adenovirus.

“… these findings suggest that a combination of common and seasonal viral respiratory infections and falciparum malaria, compounded by acute malnutrition led to an increase in severe infections and deaths, disproportionately affecting children under five years of age”, reads the statement in part.

According to weekly updates by the Ministry of Public Health, the number of positive cases so far recorded stands at 891 including 48 deaths.

Malaria and acute malnutrition have intensified the severity of the outbreak. WHO noted that these overlapping infections disproportionately impact young children, leading to a significant rise in severe cases and deaths.

The DRC Ministry of Public Health has reported 891 cases and 48 deaths to date. However, the actual toll is believed to be higher due to unreported community deaths before November 29, when the outbreak was formally recognized.

The illness presents symptoms such as high fever, cough, generalized body aches, sore throat, and muscle pain. Complications like severe anemia, respiratory issues, and metabolic disorders have further increased mortality rates, particularly among malnourished children.

Roger Kamba, the DRC’s Minister of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Security, confirmed the government’s efforts to provide free treatment for all reported cases at the General Reference Hospital and Nsakala Panzi Secondary Center.

These efforts are supported by the national nutrition program and UNICEF, which have intervened to mitigate the crisis.

The National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB) further clarified that the disease involves co-infections of multiple viruses and malaria, occurring against a backdrop of acute malnutrition.

Logistical challenges have delayed response efforts, with WHO and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) facing significant barriers, including poor road networks and a lack of diagnostic tools in remote regions.

Professor Placide Mbala, a virologist at the University of Kinshasa, noted that until recently, teams lacked nasopharyngeal swabs needed to identify the pathogens, further delaying an effective response.

Despite these challenges, WHO has deployed multidisciplinary rapid response teams to enhance diagnosis and treatment. Their ongoing efforts aim to mitigate the outbreak’s impact and prevent further fatalities by addressing both immediate medical needs and underlying vulnerabilities, particularly malnutrition and food insecurity.

Following the outbreak, there is need for stronger healthcare systems and proactive measures to address the factors contributing to such crises in vulnerable regions. WHO and its partners remain committed to reducing the outbreak’s toll and supporting the DRC in building long-term resilience against similar health emergencies.