Kinshasa, May 28th, 2026 (CPA).- A 39-year-old woman, exhibiting symptoms consistent with cholera, has died on Thursday in Kinseso, a municipality in the centre of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), it is learned from humanitarian sources. “A person has died in Kinseso. The victim was a 39-year-old woman named Melengi Kafuti, a mother of four (4) children, who was showing symptoms consistent with cholera, notably persistent acute diarrhoea. The patient had initially been admitted to a local health centre after several days of feeling unwell. Despite the treatment received, her condition did not improve. Health workers have recommended her transfer to a better-equipped facility, but the family has refused,” has declared Destin Mavinga, a Red Cross first-aider in Kisenso. He has indicated that the patient was subsequently taken home, where prayers have been requested from a pastor, who ultimately did not attend. The patient has died in the evening.
Mr Destin Mavinga, Red Cross first-aider in Kisenso.
Mr Mavinga has explained that the burgomaster, upon being informed, has alerted the health district, which has dispatched a team to the scene to assess the suspected case and limit any risk of infection within the population. “Given the potentially infectious nature of the death, the health services have implemented emergency measures, carrying out a rapid burial at the Lunda cemetery in the municipality of Kisenso to prevent any possible spread of the disease,” has concluded the Red Cross first-aider from Kisenso.