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] 36 points 1 week ago (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 21 points 1 week 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] 19 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

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 7 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week 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] 15 points 1 week ago (1 children)

That mortality rate would limit its spread, wouldn't it?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week ago

Capitalists should take note