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WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES
Week 43: 23 October - 29 October 2023
Data as reported by: 17:00; 29 October 2023
...
Mauritania
Diphtheria
8 Cases
4 Deaths
50.0% CFR
EVENT DESCRIPTION
On 19 October 2023, the Mauritanian Ministry of
Health reported suspected cases of Diphtheria. The
first case had onset of symptoms on 8 October 2023.
He sought medical attention on 11 October with
additional symptoms including fever, facial edema, false
membranes and foul-smelling whitish deposits in the
pharynx, sputum, unilateral swelling, tonsillar phlegmon,
epistaxis, bleeding gums, and toothache.
During epidemiological week 42 (ending 22 October
2023), a total of eight suspected cases, including four
deaths (CFR 50.0%), were reported from Bassiknou
hospital in Bassiknou district (Moughataas), in Hodh el
Chargui region (Wilaya).
Five (62.5%) cases were females and three (37.5%)
were males, with ages ranging between 2-20 years old.
Samples have been collected from two (25.0%) cases
and are currently being processed at the National
Institute of Public Health Research Laboratory.
Only one (12.5%) of the eight suspected cases was
vaccinated against diphtheria (Penta 3).
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS
The National Public Health Emergency Operations
Center (PHEOC) has been activated and an
incident management system has been established.
Coordination meetings are being held three times a
week at the PHEOC.
A multidisciplinary team, including two
epidemiologists, two emergency physicians and a
bacteriologist, was deployed to the region to support
the investigation and response, and to provide
medicines and equipment to the bacteriology unit.
Samples are being analyzed at the National Institute
of Public Health Research Laboratory.
SITUATION INTERPRETATION
The Mauritanian Ministry reported suspected Diphtheria
cases on 19 October 2023. Only one of the eight suspected
cases had been vaccinated with the Penta 3 vaccine
and two cases are awaiting laboratory confirmation.
One of the primary public health interventions to control
Diphtheria outbreak is diphtheria vaccination. However,
sub-optimal vaccination coverage in Mauritania, with
76.0% reported nationwide in 2022, remains a significant
challenge. Enhancing surveillance, laboratory testing, and
vaccination activities is crucial to timely detect, confirm,
and respond to potential outbreaks.
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES
Week 43: 23 October - 29 October 2023
Data as reported by: 17:00; 29 October 2023
...
Mauritania
Diphtheria
8 Cases
4 Deaths
50.0% CFR
EVENT DESCRIPTION
On 19 October 2023, the Mauritanian Ministry of
Health reported suspected cases of Diphtheria. The
first case had onset of symptoms on 8 October 2023.
He sought medical attention on 11 October with
additional symptoms including fever, facial edema, false
membranes and foul-smelling whitish deposits in the
pharynx, sputum, unilateral swelling, tonsillar phlegmon,
epistaxis, bleeding gums, and toothache.
During epidemiological week 42 (ending 22 October
2023), a total of eight suspected cases, including four
deaths (CFR 50.0%), were reported from Bassiknou
hospital in Bassiknou district (Moughataas), in Hodh el
Chargui region (Wilaya).
Five (62.5%) cases were females and three (37.5%)
were males, with ages ranging between 2-20 years old.
Samples have been collected from two (25.0%) cases
and are currently being processed at the National
Institute of Public Health Research Laboratory.
Only one (12.5%) of the eight suspected cases was
vaccinated against diphtheria (Penta 3).
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS
The National Public Health Emergency Operations
Center (PHEOC) has been activated and an
incident management system has been established.
Coordination meetings are being held three times a
week at the PHEOC.
A multidisciplinary team, including two
epidemiologists, two emergency physicians and a
bacteriologist, was deployed to the region to support
the investigation and response, and to provide
medicines and equipment to the bacteriology unit.
Samples are being analyzed at the National Institute
of Public Health Research Laboratory.
SITUATION INTERPRETATION
The Mauritanian Ministry reported suspected Diphtheria
cases on 19 October 2023. Only one of the eight suspected
cases had been vaccinated with the Penta 3 vaccine
and two cases are awaiting laboratory confirmation.
One of the primary public health interventions to control
Diphtheria outbreak is diphtheria vaccination. However,
sub-optimal vaccination coverage in Mauritania, with
76.0% reported nationwide in 2022, remains a significant
challenge. Enhancing surveillance, laboratory testing, and
vaccination activities is crucial to timely detect, confirm,
and respond to potential outbreaks.
