Congo's health ministry says unknown disease is severe malaria

Congo's health ministry says unknown disease is severe malaria

Earlier this month, local authorities said the disease had killed 143 people in the southwestern Kwango province in November.

Democratic Republic of Congo's health ministry said on Tuesday that a previously unidentified disease circulating in the country's Panzi health zone is a severe form of malaria.

Earlier this month, local authorities said the disease had killed 143 people in the southwestern Kwango province in November.

"The mystery has finally been solved. It's a case of severe malaria in the form of a respiratory illness... and weakened by malnutrition," the health ministry said in a statement.

It also said that 592 cases had been reported since October with a fatality rate of 6.2%.

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