Hepatitis E in Sudan
Between May 22 and July 30 2004, a total of 625 cases and 22 deaths from acute jaundice syndrome were reported from form clinics in the Greater Darfur ambit in Sudan. These cases were identified through the early augury alert and response system (EWAR) developed by WHO in collaboration with the Office of Fettle and other agencies. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) was confirmed by ELISA in 23 samples tested at the NAMRU3 laboratory in Cairo, Egypt. Suspected hepatitis cases maintain been reported from East, North and West Darfur but the highest number to date has been recorded in Morni IDP camp, West Darfur.
From a preliminary analysis of epidemiological figures from the Morni IDP artless, a thorough of 149 cases and 8 deaths has been reported. 70% of the cases are female and the mean grow older is 24 years. Of the 8 deaths reported, 6 of them (75%) experience occurred in pregnant women.
HEV is a waterborne affliction predominantly transmitted by faecally contaminated water that can infuriate major outbreaks in settings with skimpy sanitation. Refugees and IDPs residing in populous camps are at highest risk of infirmity. Anyhow fatality rates can modify from 1 to 4%, but may be as high as 20% in teeming women who are more susceptible to severe forms of the contagion.
This outbreak is a consequence of the flawed and unsafe water supply and poor sanitary conditions the Darfur folk has experienced during this crisis. Undeterred by material efforts by international organizations, existing resources are scarce to cover the elementary needs of the IDPs. Without an immediate recovery in access to safe, clean water and better sanitation in these camps, the disease could spread like greased lightning and decoy to increased mortality.
UNICEF is working with the federal and state ministries of health and nongovernmental organizations to spread the excellence and number of water supply. Measures to improve sanitation include health promotion activities, safe handling of food, correct disposal of excreta and parcelling of soap, which is supported by the United Nations Logistics Centre.
Additional field investigations are planned in order to focus current outbreak domination measures, to better understand the epidemiology of HEV transmission in IDP and exile camps and to elaborate specific recommendations for slowing and manage of tomorrow’s HEV epidemics in such settings.
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2004_08_10/en/
