WHO Provides Update on Mystery ‘Disease X’ That Has Left Dozens Dead in Congo

The disease, found in a remote part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, poses a ‘high’ risk to affected areas, WHO said.

The General Hospital Panzi, in the area afflicted by the mysterious condition in the southwestern Democratic Republic of Congo, in November. Lucien Lufutu /AP Photo

Officials from the World Health Organization (WHO) issued an update on an “undiagnosed disease” reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in recent weeks that has left dozens dead, saying “rapid response” teams are collecting samples.

In a statement on Dec. 8 from the WHO, the U.N. health body said that the disease, dubbed by some media outlets and an African health body as “disease X” in recent days, had led to 406 cases, leaving 31 people dead, as of Dec. 5. The outbreak is primarily occurring in the Panzi health zone in Kwango province, described as a rural and remote area.