• An outbreak of an undiagnosed disease has emerged in the Panzi health zone, Kwango Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, affecting primarily children.

• Since October 2024, 406 cases and 31 deaths have been reported, with a case-fatality ratio of 7.6%. 

• The disease presents with a cluster of symptoms, including fever, headache, cough, runny nose, and body aches.

• Severe malnutrition is a significant concern, particularly among children under five, and is often present in severe cases.

• The remote location of Panzi, coupled with limited access to healthcare and diagnostic resources, presents significant challenges to the response.

• Rapid response teams have been deployed to investigate the outbreak, collect samples for laboratory analysis, and provide medical care.

• While the exact cause remains unknown, potential suspects include acute pneumonia, influenza, COVID-19, measles, and malaria.

• However, the possibility of multiple contributing factors, including co-infections, cannot be ruled out.

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