UNAMID delivers medical supplies into North Darfur where hepatitis E outbreak occurred in displaced persons
United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) airlifted on 21 May more than 1.5 tons of critically needed medical supplies to thousands of civilians in El Sereif and Saraf Omra localities, North Darfur, according to a UNAMID statement.
The medical supplies, which included pharmaceuticals, laboratory supplies and other related items, were immediately transferred to medical facilities in these two locations.
This joint effort came after more than 170 cases of Hepatitis E were reported in the areas, where, apart from the permanent population, more than 60,000 internally displaced persons have taken refuge.
Hepatitis E has been the cause of several outbreaks and sporadic cases over large geographical regions. The hepatitis E virus is contracted and spread through consuming contaminated food and water. However, people can also contract the virus through contaminated food, transmission from animals to humans, blood transfusions and from pregnant women to their newborn.
The clinical course of hepatitis E is similar to that of hepatitis A with no chronic form of the disease. Jaundice, fever, loss of appetite and lethargy are common symptoms.
Much like hepatitis A, the fatality rate is low with the exception of pregnant women where it can reach 20% among those infected in the third trimester. Liver failure is a frequent outcome with pregnant women.
There is no treatment for acute hepatitis E, therefore, prevention is key.
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