15 die of suspected meningitis in six Sudanese states
Feb 9, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — More than 100 cases of suspected meningitis, including 15 fatalities, have been recorded in six Sudanese states since early January, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) has reported.
The agency said at least 136 cases had been reported in the states of Khartoum, Blue Nile, Kassala, Sennar, West Darfur and Gederef.
“WHO is supporting the enhancement of surveillance systems for meningococcal diseases, and these have been put into place throughout Sudan – particularly in Darfur states – in order to rapidly detect and identify any evolving outbreak,” said Emma Fitzpatrick, the agency’s public information officer, on Wednesday.
The agency has been using surveillance systems to monitor the transmission of meningitis in Sudan since the latter part of 2005. It has also been collecting data in order to prevent the disease from spreading during the high-risk season, between November and June.
According to WHO records, the disease infected 3,703 people in 14 Sudanese states in 2005, of whom 124 died. Sudan is considered part of the “African meningitis belt”, a group of countries particularly vulnerable to meningitis during the high-risk season.
The Sudanese health ministry has established a national task force in collaboration with the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), WHO and nongovernmental organisations to stem the spread of the disease.
Meningitis is an infection of the thin lining that surrounds the brain and the spinal cord. The bacteria are transmitted through respiratory secretions. Symptoms include a stiff neck, high fever, sensitivity to light, confusion, headaches and vomiting.
Meanwhile, UNICEF has reported that an outbreak of acute watery diarrhoea in the southern Sudanese town of Yei has grown, with at least 22 fatalities, including three children, recorded so far.
“So far, more than 1,000 cases have been recorded in Yei alone,” said Ben Parker, communication officer for UNICEF southern Sudan. “There were at least two deaths on Wednesday, 8 February – one child and one adult.”
UNICEF has confirmed that the disease has spread beyond Yei into neighbouring towns and villages.
“Access to the area around Yei is complicated by a long-running security threat posed by the Ugandan rebel movement, the Lord’s Resistance Army, which operates in the area,” the agency noted.
Medical and water and sanitation stocks are being mobilised as part of a coordinated response by UN agencies and NGOs led by the southern Sudanese government. UNICEF said the exact nature of the outbreak was under investigation, and samples had been collected and would be tested in laboratories in Kenya.
“We are also involved – with WHO, Oxfam and others – in investigating and responding to another outbreak of diarrhoea in Agangrial, Cuiebet County in Lakes state,” Parker said.
“Initial reports indicate over 70 cases of acute diarrhoea there,” he added. “We have already sent treatment to the area and are investigating the situation to see how best to respond.”
(IRIN)