DR Congo: Mystery outbreak likely caused by malaria

Concerns about the illness have grown following the death of an adult male patient exhibiting symptoms associated with haemorrhagic fever.

This prompted speculation about a potential viral infection occurring at the same time as malaria, Dr Ngashi Ngongo, from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), told journalists on Thursday.

Samples from the deceased patient have been sent to the Congolese capital, Kinshasa, for testing, with results expected within the next week.

Africa CDC, the UN’s World Health Organization, and other agencies are intensifying investigations into the outbreak, with further testing under way.