Hepatitis E outbreak hits South Darfur locality as suspected cases top 270
October 14, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudan Emergency Response Project (FaSER) issued an alert on Wednesday about a hepatitis E outbreak in Beliel locality, South Darfur, where 273 suspected cases have been recorded, including 78 active infections.
The wider Darfur region, largely controlled by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, faces severe deterioration in medical services due to acute shortages of medicines, diagnostic supplies, and trained healthcare personnel.
Health authorities in South Darfur documented the 273 suspected cases in Beliel between July 25 and October 2, including 78 active infections and six newly reported cases, according to the FaSER report.
The South Darfur Ministry of Health and its environmental health department formally declared an active outbreak in the locality.
The alert was verified by the international non-governmental organization Première Urgence Internationale following consultations with state health authorities and cross-checks with epidemiological surveillance data collected by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
The alert covers Beliel locality alongside neighbouring areas, including Beliel town, Al Salam camp for internally displaced persons, Kalma camps 1 and 4, the state capital Nyala, and Otash camp.
The lack of rapid diagnostic test kits has severely hindered laboratory confirmation of cases, the report warned, stressing that pregnant women face exceptionally high mortality risks and require intensified surveillance and specialized care.
Hepatitis E is primarily transmitted through contaminated water and spreads rapidly where communities lack adequate access to clean drinking water, sanitation facilities, and basic hygiene infrastructure.
MSF-supported health facilities in Nyala recorded 94 cases of acute jaundice syndrome between mid-June and September 20, with transmission surging in August.
Infections peaked between September 6 and 12, when 27 cases were registered in a single week, and reporting remained sustained thereafter, pointing to persistent community transmission.
Immediate humanitarian priorities include scaling up household-level water, sanitation, and hygiene services and curbing transmission by chlorinating community water sources.
The report also recommended broad community awareness campaigns on preventive hygiene practices and handwashing, along with urgent repairs to damaged water infrastructure to restore access to safe supply networks.
The South Darfur Ministry of Health and the environmental health department are coordinating epidemiological surveillance, while MSF supports case management, medical referrals, and sanitation interventions.