Congo disease, patient with symptoms in Lucca. WHO: more than one cause could contribute to mortality

Admitted to hospital in Lucca a few days ago and already discharged, a man returning from the Congo who presented flu-like symptoms potentially attributable to the illness that is affecting a region of the African country. This was announced by Maria Rosaria Campitiello, head of the prevention department of the Ministry of Health.

The patient was admitted to the San Luca hospital in Lucca from 22 November to 3 December, the day on which he was discharged because he had recovered. This morning, the hospital in Lucca informed the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, which is monitoring the situation. The Ministry is proceeding with the necessary investigations and the samples taken will be analysed by the Istituto Superiore della Sanità.

More generally, laboratory tests are underway to determine the exact cause of the disease reported in Congo but 'at this stage, it is also possible that more than one disease is contributing to the cases and deaths'. This is according to a new WHO bulletin on the situation in the African state which also reports that 'malaria is a common disease in the area and could be causing or contributing to the cases'. Some known diseases may therefore have contributed to the deaths of patients in Congo. These include 'acute pneumonia, influenza, Covid-19, measles and malaria' as potential factors with malnutrition.