Sudan: 2019/2020 Rift Valley Fever

[Ronan Kelly]

People, animals die of ‘unknown fever’ in eastern Sudan
October 6 - 2019 ARBAAT

A man and more than 20 head of cattle died in Arbaat in Red Sea state on Thursday and Friday of an “unknown fever”.

So far, three people and 420 cows have died of the unknown disease that hit the area of Arbaat, north of Port Sudan, over the past weeks, medical doctor Ahmed Dereir told Radio Dabanga on Friday.

The symptoms of the disease are high fever among people, and bleeding and abortion among cows, he said. The Preventive Medicine Society advised the people not to drink milk, and burn dead cattle before burial.
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https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-...-eastern-sudan

Earlier reports from the region include:

Haemorrhagic fever, cholera spreading in Sudan as reports of chikungunya wane
September 19 - 2019 KASSALA / RED SEA STATE / BLUE NILE STATE / KABKABIYA

The Ministry of Health has reported 22 suspected cases of haemorrhagic fever in Kassala in eastern Sudan.

In a press statement, the director of emergencies and epidemics, Emtiaz Ata, told reporters that the ministry is examining suspected cases to make sure of the suspicion and to find out more about the disease.

The Director General of the Ministry of Health, Nureldin Hussein said that the health situation in Kassala is not reassuring; and there must be measures and considerable precautions to adequately address the health issue and avoid epidemics. Further, he confirmed the state of Kassala is “free from chikungunya fever” because of vector control.
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https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-...ikungunya-wane

10 dead in North Darfur fever epidemic
October 2 - 2019 EL FASHER

Ten residents of El Fasher died because of Dengue fever, haemorrhagic fever, chikungunya fever and fever caused by malaria. Director-General Suleiman Idris of the Ministry of Health described the situation in the North Darfur capital as “an epidemic” and “frightening” on Tuesday.

Idris called on all the responsible authorities to urgently intervene to address the epidemic. He stated that his ministry is fully prepared to combat the diseases.
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https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-...fever-epidemic

Efforts to stem Sudan cholera epidemic
September 30 - 2019 BLUE NILE / SENNAR / CENTRAL DARFUR

According to a report by the Sudan Health Ministry on Saturday, a total of 215 cholera cases have been recorded in Blue Nile and Sennar states since August 28 to date, including 13 new cases on Friday and Saturday.

A report presented by the technical committee charged with combating the spread of the cholera epidemic, in the presence of Minister Dr Akram El Tom, reported the registration of five new cases in the Blue Nile yesterday.

These cases are distributed between El Damazin and El Roseires. Sennar recorded eight new cases, including seven in Abu Hajjar district and one case in El Souki on Friday and Saturday.
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https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-...olera-epidemic

[Pathfinder]

Fevers spreading in Darfur, health care to be enhanced in eastern Sudan

October 8 - 2019 SIRBA / UM KEDADA / ARBAAT

People in Sirba locality in West Darfur complain about the emergence of “an unknown disease”, that has killed at least 15 patients. In Um Kedada in North Darfur, more than 400 families are living rough since rains destroyed their homes over the weekend. The Federal Minister of Health announced the establishment of more clinics in Red Sea state, to improve basic health care in the region.

“Dozens of people have been infected,” relatives of patients reported to Radio Dabanga. “Fifteen people died, most of them children.”

On Monday, 230 patients were being treated at the Sirba Hospital, and dozens more at health centres in the locality.

The sources said the disease appeared two weeks ago. The symptoms include severe fever, headache, and diarrhoea.The health authorities told them that they did not know the disease and therefore have contacted the health authorities in the West Darfur capital of El Geneina to send a medical delegation to identify the disease and its treatment.

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https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/fevers-spreading-in-darfur-health-care-to-be-enhanced-in-eastern-sudan

[Pathfinder]

Rift Valley Fever suspected in Red Sea state human and livestock deaths

October 9 - 2019 ARBAAT

Arbaat in El Ganeb locality in Sudan’s Red Sea state reported 10 new cases of suspected Rift Valley Fever* on Monday and Tuesday, bringing the total number of registered cases to five, and three deaths.

Doctor Ahmed Dereir told Radio Dabanga about the spread of the disease in eight villages in the area of Arbaat, pointing out that the cases were transferred to Port Sudan for treatment.
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As reported by Radio Dabanga on Sunday, one man and more than 20 head of cattle died in Arbaat on Thursday and Friday, and that to date, So far, three people and 420 cows have died of the disease, now suspected to be Rift Valley Fever, that hit the area of Arbaat, north of Port Sudan, over the past weeks, medical doctor Ahmed Dereir told Radio Dabanga.
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https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/rift-valley-fever-suspected-in-red-sea-state-human-and-livestock-deaths

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Nine more cases of Rift Valley Fever in Sudan’s Red Sea state

October 10 - 2019 ARBAAT / EL GEZIRA / KASSALA

On Wednesday, villages in the area of Arbaat in El Ganeb locality in Red Sea state reported nine new cases suspected to be Rift Valley Fever, bringing the total number of reported cases to 65.

Doctor Ahmed Dereir told Radio Dabanga that the new patients were hospitalised at El Tagadum Hospital in nearby Port Sudan.
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https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/nine-more-cases-of-rift-valley-fever-in-sudan-s-red-sea-state

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Five new cases of Rift Valley Fever in Red Sea state

October 11 - 2019 RED SEA STATE / RIVER NILE STATE

Five new suspected cases of Rift Valley Fever were reported in villages in Red Sea state. The River Nile state Ministry of Health does precautionary spraying and distributes mosquito nets to combat the disease.

The new Red Sea state cases were reported in the area of Arbaat in El Ganeb locality.

Journalist Osman Hashim told Radio Dabanga that three people died and 70 others have been treated since the outbreak of the disease two weeks ago.

He pointed out that the federal Ministry of Health did not publish the results of the examination of samples taken from the patients. Infections continue to occur, as well as cattle dying, Hashim reports.

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https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/five-new-cases-of-rift-valley-fever-in-red-sea-state

[Pathfinder]

Attempts to control “Rift Valley Fever” in The Nile River State

3 hours ago

Ministry of Health in the Nile River State, declared a state of maximum alert after the Federal Ministry of Health announced the presence of Rift Valley Fever in the region.

The state of alert was aimed to controlling Rift Valley Fever RVF, following its emergence in some localities in Berber, north of Bawqa, Ftouar, Joule and Sulaimaniya, and in the Artoli region of the East Bank.
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The Federal Minister of Health said on Saturday That:” unknown fevers that have spread to the north of Berber in the northern Nile state are the Rift Valley Fever”.
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https://khartoumstar.com/en/2019/10/13/attempts-to-control-rift-valley-fever-in-the-nile-river-state/

[Pathfinder]

Rift Valley fever, Sudan

Information received on 13/10/2019 from Dr Ahmed Shiekh Eldin, Undersecretary, Chief Veterinary Officer, Veterinary Services , Ministry of Animal Resources, Khartoum, Sudan

Summary Report type Immediate notification Date of start of the event 25/09/2019 Date of confirmation of the event 02/10/2019 Report date 13/10/2019 Date submitted to OIE 13/10/2019 Reason for notification Recurrence of a listed disease Date of previous occurrence 14/11/2008 Manifestation of disease Clinical disease Causal agent Rift Valley fever virus Nature of diagnosis Laboratory (advanced) This event pertains to a defined zone within the country

New outbreaks (1)

Outbreak 1 Arabaata dam area, Alghunub Wa Alolaib, Red Sea Date of start of the outbreak 25/09/2019 Outbreak status Continuing (or date resolved not provided) Epidemiological unit Village Affected animals Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Killed and disposed of Slaughtered Goats 950 21 4 0 0

Summary of outbreaks Total outbreaks: 1 Total animals affected Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Killed and disposed of Slaughtered Goats 950 21 4 0 0 Outbreak statistics Species Apparent morbidity rate Apparent mortality rate Apparent case fatality rate Proportion susceptible animals lost* Goats 2.21% 0.42% 19.05% 0.42% *Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction and/or slaughter

Epidemiology Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection Unknown or inconclusive Epidemiological comments There were few abortions in goat herds observed after heavy flooding in September 2019. There is no cattle or sheep population in the area. It is a dry area within the series of the Red Sea Hills. Surveillance, biosecurity measures and increased awareness is on going.

Control measures Measures applied Movement control inside the country Quarantine Vector surveillance Vaccination permitted (if a vaccine exists) No treatment of affected animals Measures to be applied No other measures

Diagnostic test results Laboratory name and type Species Test Test date Result Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (National laboratory) Goats enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) 02/10/2019 Positive

Future Reporting The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.

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https://www.oie.int/wahis_2/public/wahid.php/Reviewreport/Review?page_refer=MapFullEventReport&reportid=32098

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-...ver-nile-state

Sudan's Health Ministry confirms: Rift Valley Fever in River Nile state
October 14 - 2019 KHARTOUM

The federal Ministry of Health reported on Sunday that the disease spreading in the area north of Berber in the River Nile state is Rift Valley Fever.

Hatim Fadul, working for the ministry’s Epidemiology and Emergencies Department, said that the minister had instructed a medical team to investigate cases of high fever in the villages of Artoli, El Bawga and Fawar on Friday.

The central laboratory in Khartoum confirmed that four out of 17 samples taken last week tested as Rift Valley Fever...

[Shiloh]

Source: https://allafrica.com/stories/201910280142.html

Sudan: UN OCHA Reports Dengue, Chikungunya, and Rift Valley Fever Outbreaks in Sudan
27 October 2019
Radio Dabanga (Amsterdam)

...Rift Valley fever

Between 28 September and 22 October, 193 RVF patients, including four deaths, have been reported in Red Sea state, River Nile state and Khartoum. Most (100) of the cases were recorded in Red Sea state....

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-...-rife-in-sudan


Rift Valley fever still rife in Sudan
October 31 - 2019 RIVER NILE STATE / SENNAR

The Ministry of Health of River Nile state in Sudan reported that four more people have died from Rift Valley fever, and that 132 suspected cases have been registered in the state.

The head of the state Health Ministry, Abdelmonim Balla, confirmed in press statements, that the disease spread in El Damer, Atbara Berber, and Abu Hamad localities.

In mid-October, the federal Ministry of Health reported that the disease spreading in the area north of Berber in the River Nile state is Rift Valley fever...

[Pathfinder]

Rift Valley fever, Sudan

Information received on 03/11/2019 from Dr Ahmed Shiekh Eldin, Undersecretary, Chief Veterinary Officer, Veterinary Services , Ministry of Animal Resources, Khartoum, Sudan

Summary Report type Follow-up report No. 1 Date of start of the event 25/09/2019 Date of confirmation of the event 02/10/2019 Report date 03/11/2019 Date submitted to OIE 03/11/2019 Reason for notification Recurrence of a listed disease Date of previous occurrence 14/11/2008 Manifestation of disease Clinical disease Causal agent Rift Valley fever virus Nature of diagnosis Laboratory (advanced) This event pertains to a defined zone within the country Related reports Immediate notification (13/10/2019) Follow-up report No. 1 (03/11/2019)

New outbreaks (1)

Outbreak 1 Fetwar, Berbr, West Berber, River Nile Date of start of the outbreak 10/10/2019 Outbreak status Continuing (or date resolved not provided) Epidemiological unit Village Affected animals Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Killed and disposed of Slaughtered Goats 750 16 3 0 0 Sheep 1550 37 5 0 0 Affected population Abortions observed in sheep & goat in October 2019.

Summary of outbreaks Total outbreaks: 1 Total animals affected Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Killed and disposed of Slaughtered Goats 750 16 3 0 0 Sheep 1550 37 5 0 0 Outbreak statistics Species Apparent morbidity rate Apparent mortality rate Apparent case fatality rate Proportion susceptible animals lost* Goats 2.13% 0.40% 18.75% 0.40% Sheep 2.39% 0.32% 13.51% 0.32% *Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction and/or slaughter

Epidemiology Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection Vectors Epidemiological comments Sheep & goat were affected. Biosecurity measures and vector control applied. Awareness is on going.

Control measures Measures applied Movement control inside the country Surveillance within containment and/or protection zone Quarantine Official disposal of carcasses, by-products and waste Disinfection Control of vectors Vaccination permitted (if a vaccine exists) No treatment of affected animals Measures to be applied Surveillance outside containment and/or protection zone

Diagnostic test results Laboratory name and type Species Test Test date Result Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (National laboratory) Sheep antibody detection ELISA 20/10/2019 Positive

Future Reporting The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.

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https://www.oie.int/wahis_2/public/wahid.php/Reviewreport/Review?page_refer=MapFullEventReport&reportid=32246

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-...-in-port-sudan

Two die of haemorrhagic fever in Sennar, 16 RVF cases recorded in Port Sudan
November 11 - 2019 SINGA / PORT SUDAN

The Sennar Basic Health Care department reported the death of two people suspected to be suffering from haemorrhagic fever last week. At least 16 cases of Rift Valley fever (RVF) were recorded in Red Sea state.

Director of the department Omar Abdelrahman told reporters in Singa, capital of Sennar, on Sunday that of the three patients recorded, one died in the Teaching Hospital of Wad Madani and another died while he was being transferred to Khartoum. The third patient, in El Dindir, is in stable condition.

Director Omar Abdelrahman said that the disease first emerged first in Dababo village in El Dindir with two cases, and the third case appeared in Ombaly village.

He explained that haemorrhagic fever is transmitted to humans through contact with blood or tissues of infected animals*, and called on health centres and hospitals in Sennar to immediately report suspected cases, or when livestock is dying in unusually high numbers.

Rift Valley fever

The El Tagadom Rural Hospital in Port Sudan, capital of Red Sea state, received 16 RVF cases during the past three days, journalist Osman Hashim told Radio Dabanga.

All cases come from the area of Adawi in El Ganeb locality. They were transferred to the El Tagaddum Hospital because there are no health centres able to treat them in the locality.

Sudan has been facing various disease outbreaks in the past months, including cholera, dengue fever, Rift Valley fever (RVF), chikungunya, and malaria, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian affairs (OCHA) reported in its latest Sudan Situation Report on Thursday...

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.who.int/csr/don/14-novem...-the-sudan/en/

Rift Valley Fever – Republic of the Sudan

Disease outbreak news
14 November 2019

On 10 October 2019, the National IHR Focal Point for Sudan notified WHO of 47 suspected cases of Rift Valley Fever (RVF), including two deaths in Arb’aat Area, Towashan Village, in El Qaneb locality, Red Sea State. The suspected cases presented with high-grade fever, headaches, joint pain, vomiting. There were no hemorrhagic signs or symptoms observed. The first case presented to the health facility on 19 September 2019.
On 28 September 2019, a total of 14 samples were sent to the National Public Health Laboratory in Khartoum, and 5 tested positive for RVF by Immunoglobulin M (IgM) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). These samples were also tested for malaria and were found negative.
On 13 October 2019, a total of 10 suspected RVF cases were recorded in Barbar and Abu Hamed localities, of River Nile State. Of the 10 suspected RVF cases, five samples were tested and four were found positive for RVF. From 19 September 2019 until 11 November 2019, a total of 293 suspected human RVF cases, including 11 associated deaths have been reported from six states; including the Red Sea (120), River Nile (168), Kassala (2), White Nile (1), Khartoum (1), and Al Qadarif (1) States. The most affected age group is 15-45 years old, which accounts for 83% of the total suspected cases. The male to female ratio is 2.6, with a high proportion of the cases being farmers (37.5%).
These human RVF cases are concomitant with abortions and deaths among goats in the areas where the human suspected and confirmed cases have been reported. From 25 September through 3 November 2019, 21 goats in Red Sea State were reported as positive for RVF, including 4 deaths; and in River Nile State 16 goats, with 3 deaths, and 37 sheep, with 5 deaths, were confirmed positive for RVF by ELISA test at the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory in Khartoum.
Public Health Response

Red Sea State

• Activation of RVF task force committee;
• Printing and distribution of of RVF guidelines;
• Deployment of surveillance teams for daily reporting and active case finding in the affected areas;
• Establishment of two health centers and one dispensary with a capacity of 11 beds, laboratory items, drugs, and supplies to provide health services in the affected villages;
• Conducting household inspections and fogging: In Arb’aat area, a total of 452 households were inspected, out of which 30 were found positive for the presence of a competent vector; in Port Sudan, out of 1,225 households inspected, 29 were found positive for the competent vector, and fogging was provided to 1,949 households;
• The Veterinary Epidemiology Department of the Ministry of Animal Resources conducted vector control in 4 animal enclosures in the affected villages.

River Nile

• A joint investigation conducted by the State Ministry of Health (SMoH) and WHO on 12 October 2019;
• Initiation of an RVF Action plan by the SMoH and WHO;
• Initiation of Integrated Vector Management (IVM), surveillance, case management and Rapid Response Team (RRT) activities.

WHO risk assessment

RVF is endemic in Sudan. Three outbreaks affecting humans have been previously documented in 1973, 1976, and 2008. During the outbreak in 2008, a total of 747 laboratory-confirmed cases were reported, including 230 deaths.
The recent floods, following heavy rains on 13 August 2019, caused flash floods in 17 of the 18 states, including Abyei area in West Kordofan State. These floods have favored vector abundance, distribution, and longevity. The current RVF outbreak started on 19 September 2019 and has affected six states impacted by the floods.
The uncontrolled movements of animal populations within and outside the country borders may increase the spread of the disease to new areas.
RVF can cause significant economic losses due to livestock travel and trade restrictions, as well as high mortality and abortion rates among infected animals.
In a country where export of livestock is one of the major sources of the national income, the current RVF outbreak, in the context of political unrest and a debilitated health system requires an urgent need for external assistance.
WHO advice

Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is a mosquito-borne viral zoonosis that primarily affects animals, but also has the capacity to infect humans. The majority of human infections result from direct or indirect contact with the blood or organs of infected animals. Herders, farmers, slaughterhouse workers, and veterinarians have an increased risk of infection.
Awareness of the risk factors of RVF infection and measures to prevent mosquito bites is the only way to reduce human infection and deaths. Public health messages for risk reduction should focus on:

• Reducing the risk of animal-to-human transmission resulting from unsafe animal husbandry and slaughtering practices.
• Practicing hand hygiene as well as wearing gloves or other personal protective equipment when handling sick animals or their tissues and when slaughtering animals.
• Reducing the risk of animal-to-human transmission arising from the unsafe consumption of raw or unpasteurized milk or animal tissue. In endemic regions, all animal products should be thoroughly cooked before eating.
• Reducing the risk of mosquito bites through the implementation of vector control activities (e.g. insecticide spraying and use of larvicidal to reduce mosquito breeding sites), use of insecticide-impregnated mosquito nets and repellents, light- colored clothing (long-sleeved shirts and trousers).
• Restricting or banning the movement of livestock to reduce the spread of the virus from infected to uninfected areas.
• Routine animal vaccination is recommended to prevent RVF outbreaks. Vaccination campaigns are not recommended during an outbreak as they may intensify transmission among the herd through needle propagation of the virus.
• Outbreaks of RVF in animals precede human cases, thus the establishment of an active animal health surveillance system is essential in providing early warning for veterinary and public health authorities.

WHO advises against the application of any travel or trade restrictions with the affected country based on the current information available on this event.
For more information on Rift Valley fever, please see the links below:

• Rift Valley Fever, WHO Fact sheet
• Recognizing Rift Valley Fever, FAO Animal Health Manual No.17
• Rift valley fever disease webpage
• Introduction to Rift Valley Fever: Managing infectious hazards

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[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.emro.who.int/pandemic-epi...mber-2019.html

Outbreak update – Rift Valley fever in Sudan, 7 December 2019



9 December 2019 – The Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) of Sudan reported 15 new cases of Rift Valley fever (RVF) during epidemiological week 49 (1–7 December) of 2019. The cumulative number of reported cases since week 31 (28 July–5 August) this year is 365 including 11 associated deaths, giving a case fatality rate of 3.0%. The attack rate was 0.8 per 10 000 population. Among all reported cases, 57% were male and 87.1% were older than 15 years. The most affected age group were 45 years and above, which accounted for 29.3% of all cases.
The outbreak was reported in week 37 (8–14 September) from Red Sea State. The number of cases increased gradually to reach its peak in week 42, when 89 cases were reported. Currently, 13 localities are reporting RVF cases in the states of Algdaref, Al Jazirah, Kassala, Khartoum, Red Sea, River Nile and White Nile. The highest reporting state is River Nile (231 cases) followed by Red Sea (128 cases).
All of the cases complained of fever. Other frequent symptoms included headaches followed by joint pain (78.4% and 46.8%, respectively). Only 3.8% reported bleeding.
Blood samples were collected from 107 patients, with 53 testing positive and 27 negative, as reported by the National Public Health Laboratory of Sudan. Results for 19 samples are still pending.
WHO continues to provide leadership and support for activities with health authorities and partners to respond to this ongoing RVF outbreak, including case management, surveillance, laboratory investigations and risk communication. Entomological surveillance and vector control measures are also being implemented. Coordination between the FMoH, the animal health sector, the Ministry of Agriculture, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and WHO have been strengthened.

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.emro.who.int/pandemic-epi...mber-2019.html

Outbreak update – Rift Valley fever in Sudan, 14 December 2019



17 December 2019 – The Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) of Sudan reported 28 new cases of Rift Valley fever (RVF) during epidemiological week 50 (8–14 December) of 2019. The cumulative number of reported cases since week 31 (28 July–5 August) this year is 393 including 11 associated deaths, giving CFR of 2.7%. The attack rate was 0.2 per 10 000 population. Among all reported cases, 57% were male and 87.1% were older than 15 years. The most affected age group were 45 years and above, which accounted for 29.3% of all cases.
The outbreak was reported in week 37 (8–14 September) from Red Sea State. The number of cases increased gradually to reach its peak in week 42, when 89 cases were reported. Currently, 13 localities are reporting RVF cases in the states of Algdaref, Al Jazirah, Kassala, Khartoum, Red Sea, River Nile and White Nile. The highest reporting states are River Nile and Red Sea, which account for 98% of total reported cases. After zero reporting for 3 consecutive states, Red Sea state started reporting cases again during week 50.
All of the cases complained of fever. Other frequent symptoms included headaches followed by joint pain (78.4 % and 46.8 %, respectively). Only 3.8% reported bleeding.
Blood samples were collected from 107 patients, with 53 testing positive, as reported by the National Public Health Laboratory of Sudan.
WHO continues to provide leadership and support for activities with health authorities and partners to respond to this ongoing RVF outbreak, including case management, surveillance, laboratory investigations and risk communication. Entomological surveillance and vector control measures are also being implemented. Coordination between the FMoH, the animal health sector, the Ministry of Agriculture, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and WHO have been strengthened.

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.emro.who.int/pandemic-epi...mber-2019.html

Outbreak update – Rift Valley fever in Sudan, 21 December 2019



24 December 2019 – The Federal Ministry of Health of Sudan reported 85 new cases of Rift Valley fever during epidemiological week 51 (15–21 December 2019). The cumulative number of reported cases since week 31 (28 July–5 August) this year is 493, including 11 associated deaths, giving a case–fatality rate of 2.2%. The attack rate was 1.08 per 10 000 population. Among all reported cases, 57% were male and 80.9% were older than 15 years. The most affected age group were those between 15 and 29.9 years of age, who accounted for 32.9% of all cases.
The outbreak was reported in week 37 (8–14 September) from Red Sea State. The number of cases increased gradually to reach its peak in week 42, when 89 cases were reported. Currently, 14 localities are reporting cases of Rift Valley fever in the states of Algdaref, Al Jazirah, Kassala, Khartoum, Red Sea, River Nile and White Nile. The highest reporting states are River Nile and Red Sea, which account for 99% of the total reported cases.
No new cases were reported from River Nile State after 12 December, but the Port Sudan locality of Red Sea State reported its first case on 12 December. The number of cases reported from this locality were 122. The Federal Ministry of Health along with the WHO country office and Ministry of Animal Resources is investigating the cause behind the high number of cases in this locality.
All of the patients complained of fever. Other frequent symptoms included headaches followed by joint pain (77.7 % and 48.3 %, respectively). Only 3% reported bleeding.
Blood samples were collected from 136 patients, with 68 testing positive, as reported by the National Public Health Laboratory of Sudan.
WHO continues to provide leadership and support for activities with health authorities and partners to respond to this ongoing outbreak, including case management, surveillance, laboratory investigations and risk communication. Entomological surveillance and vector control measures are also being implemented. Coordination between the Ministry, the animal health sector, the Ministry of Agriculture, the World Organisation for Animal Health, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and WHO have been strengthened.

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-...gues-el-gezira

Rift Valley fever suspected in Sudan’s Red Sea state, Mycetoma plagues El Gezira
February 20 - 2020 RED SEA STATE / EL GEZIRA

The deaths of large numbers of livestock and cases of fever among residents in Aryab in Sudan’s Red Sea state, have raised concerns for the possible re-emergence of Rift Valley fever in the area. Mycetoma infections are plaguing El Gezira state.

Activists in health work have called on the state and federal government to intervene urgently to save the residents and livestock.

In El Gezira state, medical sources have said that more than ten foot amputations have had to be carried out at Wad Shigiddy area in eastern Wad Madani due to mycetoma (also known as Buruli ulcer) infections...