Public health specialists worry that this may be Disease X, an unidentified hypothetical disease that might be dangerous enough to cause another pandemic like the Covid one, while authorities look for solutions.
Though enigmatic outbreaks like these regularly raise concerns about the emergence of a novel pathogen, endemic illnesses in underserved regions that are made worse by malnourishment or low vaccination rates are more likely to be the reason.
Severe outbreak instances have been associated with severe malnourishment. Extreme food shortages, widespread uncontrolled malaria, and restricted access.
To vaccines and diagnostics are making matters worse. Medical efforts are also being hampered by transportation issues.
According to WHO, the region is isolated and rural, and the continuing rainy season makes access even more difficult. By road, it takes around 48 hours to get there from Kinshasa.
