Sudan yellow fever outbreak accounts for 14 deaths
In a follow-up to a report early last month, the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) in Sudan has notified the World Health Organization (WHO) of a yellow fever (YF) outbreak affecting twelve localities in West and South Kordofan states.
Between 3 October and 24 November 2013, a total of 44 suspected cases of yellow fever including 14 deaths, representing a case fatality rate of nearly 32%, have been reported.
The field investigation carried out by the FMOH team revealed that the initial suspected cases were reported among the seasonal workers coming from the eastern states of Sudan who traveled to the state of West Kordofan for gum Arabic plantation during the month of October.
The blood samples collected by the field investigation team of the FMOH from the suspected cases were positive for YF by IgM ELISA Assay at the National Public Health Laboratory of the FMOH in Khartoum.
The blood samples were later re-confirmed at the Institute of Pasteur of Senegal, a WHO reference laboratory for yellow fever by IgM ELISA test followed by the seroneutralizing test (PRNT) for yellow fever.
The entomological survey carried out by the field investigation team also found Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in the areas, the vector that can sustain transmission of YF.
The FMOH is planning to organize a reactive mass vaccination campaign against YF in the affected areas covering the at-risk population in order to prevent the occurrence of new cases.
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[…] The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported 44 suspected cases of yellow fever, including 14 deaths, from October 3 to November 24, 2013. Some of the cases have been laboratory-confirmed. The outbreak is located in West and South Kordofan states of Sudan. […]
[…] World Health Organization (WHO) has reported 44 suspected cases of yellow fever, including 14 deaths, from October 3 to November 24, 2013. Some […]