• @disguy_ovahea
    link
    75
    edit-2
    8 days ago

    Jesus. All sources state that the majority of the deaths were people 16-18 years of age. This is extremely lethal with a 21%-60% fatality rate, even if the numbers are all over the place. Covid has about a 3% fatality rate, for comparison.

    NY Post has the death toll at 179 with 300 infected.

    https://nypost.com/2024/12/04/us-news/a-mystery-disease-has-killed-179-mostly-teenagers-in-the-democratic-republic-of-the-congo/

    Reuters splits the difference with 143 dead.

    https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/unknown-disease-kills-143-southwest-congo-local-authorities-say-2024-12-03/

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      368 days ago

      I wouldn’t really take anything down as fact at the moment. The region is a healthcare desert that has a pretty bad history of malnourishment, so even if what the reports say is true, it’s not something that would be applicable to other parts of the world.

      From the couple articles that I’ve read about, there’s a lot of stuff being reported that’s probably not coming from a reliable source.

      Most are saying it’s some kind of flu-like symptoms, and the disease is unknown, but the WHO director in the area has said they won’t have any more information for the next 48 hours because they haven’t been able to test yet.

      There’s also reports of deaths from pulmonary complications, but also reports of deaths from lack of blood transfusions… Not sure why someone would require a blood transfusion for flu-like symptoms, so my guess is there’s not a lot of reliable reporting coming out ATM.

      • Peachy [they/them] M
        link
        fedilink
        English
        218 days ago

        I mean the DRC has a huge population of child slaves that mine cobalt. Bad living conditions and inadequate healthcare are the perfect storm to spread disease

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      19
      edit-2
      8 days ago

      Your reuters link says 2024-12-03 and nyt link says, 2024-12-04 which explains why nyt has a higher number.

      edit: nypost not nyt

      • @disguy_ovahea
        link
        7
        edit-2
        8 days ago

        Yes, the infection rate is reported as climbing, but the number of fatalities varies greatly.

        300/179 in the NY Post vs 376/79 in the posted article

      • @[email protected]
        link
        fedilink
        English
        3
        edit-2
        7 days ago

        Yes, it would. Covid got around because of its long dormant period and high transmissibility. It’s only gotten less lethal over time as it’s mutated. Turns out killing your host is a poor reproductive strategy.