Authorities in Congo are investigating a flu-like illness that has killed dozens of people in two weeks.
The deaths were recorded between November 10 and 25 in the Panzi health zone in Kwango province. Symptoms include fever, headache, cough and anemia, provincial health minister Apollinaire Yumba told CNN.
Between 67 and 143 people have died so far. A team of epidemiologists and other experts is expected to arrive in the region to collect samples and determine the problem.
Yumba advised the population to exercise caution and refrain from contact with the bodies of the dead to avoid infection. He called on national and international partners to send medical supplies to deal with the health crisis.
Congo is already suffering from a smallpox epidemic, with the World Health Organization reporting more than 47,000 suspected cases and more than 1,000 deaths from the disease in the central African country.
The WHO is aware of the unidentified disease and has a team on the ground working with local health authorities to collect samples. | BGNES
