Mysterious illness dubbed 'Disease X' spreading rapidly, has killed mostly children, infected over 400. Check symptoms

A mysterious and deadly disease, called 'Disease X' has been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo infecting more than 400 people and killing over 30 people, mostly children, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The UN health body is struggling to trace its origins.

The unidentified disease has infected an estimated 406 people in the DRC since October and killed 143 of them — mostly children, according to local authorities. The WHO has also sent a rapid response team to unravel the mystery of 'Disease X', but officials said Sunday that the center of the outbreak is in a remote area of the Kwango province, where poor road conditions and heavy rain mean it will take at least two days to get there, reported New York Post.

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Further complicating the investigation is the fact that many of the severe cases of "Disease X" are also characterized by severe malnutrition, making it challenging to pinpoint the exact source of the illness.

Mysterious Disease X grips Congo

Disease X is a term coined by WHO to describe a hypothetical, unknown pathogen with epidemic or pandemic potential. It represents any unidentified infectious disease that could spread rapidly and cause widespread harm. Common symptoms of Disease X, include fever, cough, fatigue, and a runny nose. Headache is also a prevalent symptom. In severe cases, symptoms escalate to difficulty breathing, anaemia, and signs of acute malnutrition.

The WHO was informed just two weeks ago about the outbreak, which is centered in a remote area of the central African nation, in the country’s southwestern province of Kwango, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a Tuesday briefing.

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What are the symptoms of Disease X?

Symptoms of the flu-like disease so far include headaches, cough, fever, breathing difficulties, and anemia. Initial findings suggest the deaths might be related to a plethora of other diseases spreading in the southwest DRC, including acute pneumonia, influenza, COVID-19, measles and malaria, the latter of which is common in the region.

It’s also possible that more than one disease is causing the deaths, the WHO said.

All recorded cases of the illness involve patients suffering fever, headache, cough, runny nose, body aches, breathing difficulties and anemia, according to the nation’s Ministry of Health.

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While the WHO said it has only found evidence of 31 deaths caused by “Disease X,” most of which involve children under 5 years old, it acknowledged that the death toll may be higher, as local officials estimate it at 143 deaths.

"Teams are collecting samples for laboratory testing, providing a more detailed clinical characterization of the detected cases, investigating the transmission dynamics, and actively searching for additional cases, both within health facilities and at the community level," the organization said.

"Given the clinical presentation and symptoms reported, and several associated deaths, acute pneumonia, influenza, COVID-19, measles and malaria are being considered as potential causal factors with malnutrition as a contributing factor. Malaria is a common disease in this area, and it may be causing or contributing to the cases," the WHO said.