Discussion - DRC: At least 31 confirmed deaths in an undiagnosed outbreak - November 30, 2024

[Treyfish]

:tiphat: So now they admit an influenza virus is involved but still no clarification of the type, where it came from or animal. Mixed with Covid-19, sars thing. No new report of spreading yet?

 

[alert]

Some of the cases appear to have tested positive for COVID as well, despite earlier denials. Looks like an "all of the above" situation to me.

 

[somebodyoutthere]

Yes, perhaps like everywhere else people are getting sick over and over again & some w coinfections, but in this region of the Congo they are an especially vulnerable population with endemic malaria & malnutrition added into the mix. All of those factors together could increase the fatality rate. Osterholm pointed out that it’s probably not a new “disease x” because he would’ve expected to see more exponential increase if that was the case

 

[alert]

The flu has been identified as H1N1, the descendants of the 2009 pandemic virus.

I wonder if this area is remote enough not to be affected by seasonal flu most years, due to lack of contact, and perhaps large numbers of people had never been exposed to this virus or its relatives? Alternatively, perhaps the severe cases in young children reflect people who were not yet alive at the time of the pandemic and so had no existing immunity to H1 viruses?

Obviously, malnutrition doesn't help, but there might be immunological factors that explain why the illness here was more severe than expected.

If the cold chain can be preserved, perhaps the seasonal flu shot, which contains this virus, should be deployed to the affected area. If not, Tamiflu pills, which are shelf stable and don't require refrigeration (and are relatively cheap), should be administered to cases with respiratory symptoms. Even 15 years post-pandemic, most H1N1 viruses are Tamiflu sensitive.

 

[Treyfish]

:tiphat:Kwango: Influenza AH1N1 virus epidemic officially declared after deaths in the Panzi health zone

The unknown disease that has been raging for several weeks in the Panzi health zone, in the Kwango province, now has a name. The National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB) has confirmed that it is a co-infection involving the Influenza AH1N1 virus, the human rhinovirus (HRV) and SARS-CoV-2, associated with malaria against a background of malnutrition.

:tiphat: so they have all 3 at the same time? Or 3 diseases floating around and guess which one it is?​

 

[alert]

Sounds like all three viruses are circulating in the population. Reminds me of the outbreak in Dothan, AL in the United States a few years ago in which multiple pathogens were also detected.