Disease “X” is causing concern

More than 100 people are said to have died in an unknown infection in the Congo.

The authorities themselves have named it “disease X” and now several countries have tightened border surveillance.

The Swedish Public Health Agency is also following the development.

– We pay extra attention to this and are prepared to take measures if necessary, says state epidemiologist Magnus Gisslén.

The first case of the hitherto undiagnosed disease was registered on October 24. Now the number of sick people has grown to 376, writes the Washington Post with reference to the African infectious disease control agency Africa CDC.

The same source has recorded 79 deaths, but local authorities said earlier this week for Reuters news agency that at least 143 people have died from the infection. That the numbers differ is due to difficulties in defining the disease and lags in reporting, Africa CDC communications director Margaret Muigai Edwin told the Washington Post.

The infection is spreading in Kwago, a remote and very poor region in southwestern Congo. It took more than five weeks before the government in the capital Kinshasa was alerted to the cases, writes American NPR.

Several symptoms

Those infected have suffered from symptoms such as high fever, headache, cough and breathing difficulties. The country’s public health minister, Roger Kamba, says it appears to be a respiratory illness, but that it is too early to determine whether it is caused by a virus or bacteria. It is also not clear how it spreads.

More than half of those infected are children under the age of five. Women are also overrepresented among those affected, writes the Washington Post.

The uncertainties surrounding the infection has prompted the Africa CDC to call it “Disease X”. World Health Organization WHO has an expert team on the way to the affected area and answers to laboratory tests are expected over the weekend.

“The world wonders”

During a press conference on Thursday, the authority’s director general Jean Kaseya underlined that the mystery is still great.

– Is it an infectious disease? Is it a non-infectious disease? If it is an infectious disease, is it a viral infection? Is it a bacterial infection? Is it a fungal infection? A parasitic infection? he said, according to NPR.

– There are so many things we don’t know. We want to know very quickly what kind of illness it is. The world wonders, he continued.

Dieudonné Mwamba, head of Congo’s public health institute INSP, said the population in the affected area could be extra vulnerable to disease due to widespread malnutrition. The same region had an outbreak of typhus two years ago.

Concerns in several countries

Now preparedness is being raised in several places in Asia after concerns that the disease will spread there, write Bangkok Post.

Although Thailand is considered a low-risk country, the country has introduced strengthened surveillance at airports and border crossings.

At Hong Kong International Airport, controls have been tightened for all flights passing through Africa. In Japan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises people against unnecessary travel to the affected region of the Congo.

Sweden follows the disease closely

The Swedish Public Health Agency also has increased vigilance, with round-the-clock readiness.

– This is something we follow closely. We are in close contact with international authorities to keep ourselves up to date on what kind of disease and infectious agent it is, says state epidemiologist Magnus Gisslén.

Right now, however, there are no plans for special measures in Sweden.

– Not in this situation. There are many disease outbreaks in the world, and we monitor them closely. This particular outbreak is a bit special because there seem to be a relatively large number of people infected, although the data is still uncertain. Therefore, we pay extra attention to this and are prepared to take measures if necessary.

“Can be almost anything”

The Public Health Agency is now waiting for results from sampling of infected people in the Congo. Until they have received these, it is difficult to assess the risk of spread outside the country, according to Magnus Gisslén:

– This outbreak is still very unclear. Many diseases can cause similar symptoms so it could be almost anything. Therefore, it is important to avoid jumping to conclusions.

According to Magnus Gisslén, Swedes need not be afraid.

– Currently, there is no cause for concern for people in Sweden. However, it is important for travelers to the Congo to stay informed through the country’s authorities.