The Congo is facing a mystery illness known as 'Disease X,' which has resulted in the deaths of dozens of people.

In the DRC, health officials report that dozens have died from an unknown illness called "Disease X."

On Tuesday, the Associated Press reported that the country's deputy provincial governor, Rémy Saki, stated that over 143 people have died from the infectious disease.

This week, AP reported that deaths occurred in the Panzi health zone of Kwango province between Nov. 10 and Nov. 25.

Primary symptoms include fever, headache, cough and difficulty breathing.

Most of those affected are children younger than 5 years old.

Dr. Dieudonné Mwamba, the director general of INSP, announced at a press briefing on Thursday that central-level teams have been positioned at the Emergency Operation Center for Public Health and the INSP, which is in maximum alert mode, and will leave within 24 hours to join the local health zone.

To prevent infection, the DRC's provincial health minister, Apollinaire Yumba, advised residents to exercise caution and avoid contact with deceased individuals, according to AP.

The country is also requesting medical supplies.

"There is a lack of medicines and medical supplies, since the disease is not yet known."

Health authorities were not notified of the first cases of Disease X until Dec. 1, despite them being reported on Oct. 24.

On Thursday, at a press conference, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention's director, Jean Kaseya, shared his insights.

Kaseya stated that we have a delay of almost five to six weeks, and in that time frame, so many things can occur.

"Ongoing testing will help us to understand what is the issue."

The president of the civil society consultation framework of Kwango province, Lucien Lufutu, stated in Panzi that the local hospital is not adequately equipped to handle the influx of sick patients.

Since the disease is not yet known, most of the population is treated by traditional practitioners due to a lack of medicines and medical supplies, he stated.

The CDC is aware of reports of an illness in southwest DRC, as informed by Planet Chronicle Digital.

A spokesperson stated that U.S. government staff, including those from the U.S. CDC's office in Kinshasa, are in touch with DRC's Ministry of Health and are prepared to offer additional assistance if necessary.

An ongoing outbreak of mpox, a viral disease caused by an orthopoxvirus, has been grappling the Congo since August, leading to a global emergency.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports between 200 and 300 confirmed mpox cases weekly, according to recent data from health officials.

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The Africa CDC and WHO were contacted by Planet Chronicle Digital for additional comment.