An unidentified disease has killed 79 people and sickened 376, according to the Democratic Republic of Congo's Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Security.

Authorities say the mystery flu-like illness that has killed dozens of people in southwest Congo in recent weeks might be malaria

Amid investigations into this mysterious disease, health officials have also had to respond to mpox outbreaks in the country.

The WHO says 406 cases of the disease have been recorded and that more than half of those who died were children younger than 5.

Of the 12 initial samples collected, 10 tested positive for malaria, although it is possible that more than one disease is involved. Further samples will be collected and teste

The disease emerged in the Panzi health zone, which is a remote part of Kwango province along the Congolese border with Angola.

An unidentified disease has reportedly affected over 400 people in the rural Kwango Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since October 2024. Some estimates have placed the number of deaths so far in excess of 140,