The General Department of Preventive Medicine under Vietnam's Ministry of Health said on Thursday that it had been notified of some information about a mysterious disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and would keep a close watch on the disease to deploy appropriate preventive measures.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported the emergence of an unidentified disease linked to 406 cases recorded between October 24 and December 5 in Panzi, a locality in Congo's southwestern Kwango province.

According to the General Department of Preventive Medicine, 31 people have died from the illness.

Symptoms include headache, cough, fever, runny nose, and body aches, WHO said.

Children account for 53 percent of the reported cases, with all severe cases involving individuals who were seriously malnourished.

The department stated that it would stay on high alert and increase disease surveillance efforts, as well as work with the WHO to share any information about the disease.

If there is any new development of the ailment, the department will collaborate with the WHO, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other relevant agencies to assess the risk of its spread and present essential measures, including quarantine.

The WHO on December 6 sent experts to support health authorities in Congo to investigate an as-yet undiagnosed disease linked to multiple deaths in a remote area of the country, Reuters reported.

Thailand’s health ministry on the same day issued warnings to all of its units, asking them to remain vigilant against the mysterious disease in Congo.

International airports in Hong Kong on December 5 stepped up health screening measures for all flights arriving from African transit hubs.

In Japan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised its citizens against unnecessary travel to the affected area.

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