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Disease X: Epidemiology Unit monitoring outbreak

Disease X: Epidemiology Unit monitoring outbreak

08 Dec 2024 | By Kenolee Perera



The Ministry of Health’s Epidemiology Unit is actively monitoring the situation following the outbreak of an unknown disease in the southwestern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which has claimed over 100 lives.

The disease, identified as Disease X, has led to nearly 400 reported cases, including many children under the age of five, with symptoms resembling the flu, such as fever, headache, cough, and anaemia.

A senior medical officer who wished to remain anonymous told The Sunday Morning that a meeting would soon be held with the Chief Epidemiologist and other medical professionals to assess potential risks and determine the necessary steps to safeguard Sri Lanka against the disease.

While it was too early to implement preventive measures, the unit was awaiting further guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) on how to manage the situation, the official said.

The Epidemiology Unit has assured that its surveillance system remains fully operational, with 20 sentinel hospitals across the country serving as referral points to manage potential cases. The authorities are also keeping a close watch on developments through international health organisations.

Meanwhile, response teams from the WHO have been deployed to the Panzi health zone in Kwango Province, DRC, the area most affected by the outbreak.

The number of deaths attributed to Disease X remains uncertain, with reports from foreign media ranging from 79-143 fatalities. Victims are predominantly between the ages of 15 and 18. In addition, the DRC is also grappling with an ongoing Mpox epidemic, which has already led to more than 47,000 suspected cases and over 1,000 suspected deaths.




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