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28 September 2012
UNHCR responds to public health threats in Dadaab refugee camps
Following indications of an outbreak of acute jaundice (largely caused by hepatitis E virus) among refugees in Dadaab camp complex in northern Kenya, UNHCR is running a comprehensive public health response focusing on improving sanitation facilities and promotion of good hygiene practices. With more than 473,000 inhabitants, the overcrowded Dadaab refugee complex ? now comprising five camps ? is the largest refugee settlement in the world.
As of last week, 223 cases of acute jaundice were reported across all five camps in Dadaab. Four fatalities have been confirmed, all of them women who had just given birth. The first case of jaundice was detected in Ifo 2 refugee camp six weeks ago. Most of the hepatitis-E cases have been registered in camps with inadequate number of latrines and among new arrivals with poor hygiene habits. There is no vaccine for Hepatitis E virus although one is in an initial phase of development in China.
The incubation period for jaundice is one month and we fear that the number of cases may continue to grow. In addition to raising the health, water and sanitation standards and awareness about the importance of hand-washing, use of latrines, food and water hygiene, refugee health workers are also being trained in active search for new cases and surveillance.
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UNHCR responds to public health threats in Dadaab refugee camps
Following indications of an outbreak of acute jaundice (largely caused by hepatitis E virus) among refugees in Dadaab camp complex in northern Kenya, UNHCR is running a comprehensive public health response focusing on improving sanitation facilities and promotion of good hygiene practices. With more than 473,000 inhabitants, the overcrowded Dadaab refugee complex ? now comprising five camps ? is the largest refugee settlement in the world.
As of last week, 223 cases of acute jaundice were reported across all five camps in Dadaab. Four fatalities have been confirmed, all of them women who had just given birth. The first case of jaundice was detected in Ifo 2 refugee camp six weeks ago. Most of the hepatitis-E cases have been registered in camps with inadequate number of latrines and among new arrivals with poor hygiene habits. There is no vaccine for Hepatitis E virus although one is in an initial phase of development in China.
The incubation period for jaundice is one month and we fear that the number of cases may continue to grow. In addition to raising the health, water and sanitation standards and awareness about the importance of hand-washing, use of latrines, food and water hygiene, refugee health workers are also being trained in active search for new cases and surveillance.
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