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WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES
Week 31: 25 - 31 July 2022
Data as reported by: 17:00; 31 July 2022
...
Food Poisoning Sierra Leone
83 cases
1 Death
1.2% CFR
EVENT DESCRIPTION
A total of 83 people are suspected to have been victims of food
poisoning in Sierra Leone after attending a graduation party
on 26 July 2022 with one person succumbing to their illness
(case fatality rate: 1.2%). Approximately 150 people were in
attendance at the event that occurred in the Nyandeyama section
of Kenema City. Females have accounted for the majority of cases
(58, 69.9%). The majority of people affected were also children
under the age of 18 accounting for 57 cases (68.7%) including
the individual that died who was a 14-month-old female child.
Partygoers are reported to have consumed rice, cake, ginger
beer, and water during the celebration. At the time of writing, the
causative agent of the outbreak is still unknown.
All cases except one (patient did not seek health care despite
developing signs and symptoms) were admitted to Kenema
Government Hospital where they were treated for their condition
and as of 28 July 2022, 32 patients had been discharged.
The most common symptoms among patients were general
weakness, drowsiness, unconsciousness, vomiting, headaches,
hallucinations, abdominal pain, and convulsions.
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS
A rapid response team including field epidemiology training
program trainees was activated at the district level to conduct
an investigation.
A treatment centre was established at the Kenema
Government Hospital.
Investigated reported cases and ongoing surveillance system
to identify more cases and potential contacts.
An incident action plan was developed and presented to the
District Medical Officer.
Biological samples were collected from admitted patients
and food samples were collected from the community
where the event occurred to be transported to the reference
laboratory in Freetown.
A meeting with health partners was held to galvanize support
at district level. Partners such as Medecins Sans Frontieres
and the African Field Epidemiology Network are already
providing support to the response.
A radio program with the media is providing ongoing
emergency information.
SITUATION INTERPRETATION
An alleged food poisoning agent seemed to have caused the
hospitalisation of more than 80 party attendees in Kenema City,
Sierra Leone. While the signs and symptoms suffered seem
severe, some experiencing such affects as convulsions and
hallucinations, many of the patients have now recovered and
have been discharged. Only one death has been reported thus far,
however, patients are still being monitored. Case management of
the high number of patients has been supported by partnering
organizations in the country. While investigations on the causative
agent are ongoing, only the symptoms of the patients have been
treated.
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/...2531072022.pdf
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES
Week 31: 25 - 31 July 2022
Data as reported by: 17:00; 31 July 2022
...
Food Poisoning Sierra Leone
83 cases
1 Death
1.2% CFR
EVENT DESCRIPTION
A total of 83 people are suspected to have been victims of food
poisoning in Sierra Leone after attending a graduation party
on 26 July 2022 with one person succumbing to their illness
(case fatality rate: 1.2%). Approximately 150 people were in
attendance at the event that occurred in the Nyandeyama section
of Kenema City. Females have accounted for the majority of cases
(58, 69.9%). The majority of people affected were also children
under the age of 18 accounting for 57 cases (68.7%) including
the individual that died who was a 14-month-old female child.
Partygoers are reported to have consumed rice, cake, ginger
beer, and water during the celebration. At the time of writing, the
causative agent of the outbreak is still unknown.
All cases except one (patient did not seek health care despite
developing signs and symptoms) were admitted to Kenema
Government Hospital where they were treated for their condition
and as of 28 July 2022, 32 patients had been discharged.
The most common symptoms among patients were general
weakness, drowsiness, unconsciousness, vomiting, headaches,
hallucinations, abdominal pain, and convulsions.
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS
A rapid response team including field epidemiology training
program trainees was activated at the district level to conduct
an investigation.
A treatment centre was established at the Kenema
Government Hospital.
Investigated reported cases and ongoing surveillance system
to identify more cases and potential contacts.
An incident action plan was developed and presented to the
District Medical Officer.
Biological samples were collected from admitted patients
and food samples were collected from the community
where the event occurred to be transported to the reference
laboratory in Freetown.
A meeting with health partners was held to galvanize support
at district level. Partners such as Medecins Sans Frontieres
and the African Field Epidemiology Network are already
providing support to the response.
A radio program with the media is providing ongoing
emergency information.
SITUATION INTERPRETATION
An alleged food poisoning agent seemed to have caused the
hospitalisation of more than 80 party attendees in Kenema City,
Sierra Leone. While the signs and symptoms suffered seem
severe, some experiencing such affects as convulsions and
hallucinations, many of the patients have now recovered and
have been discharged. Only one death has been reported thus far,
however, patients are still being monitored. Case management of
the high number of patients has been supported by partnering
organizations in the country. While investigations on the causative
agent are ongoing, only the symptoms of the patients have been
treated.
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/...2531072022.pdf
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