Kala-azar outbreak in Sudan?s South Kordofan

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.radiodabanga.org/node/82417


Kala-azar outbreak in Sudan?s South Kordofan
ABU KARSHOLA LOCALITY
(23 Oct.) -

People in Abu Karshola locality, South Kordofan, complain about the spread of kala-azar*.

A resident of the locality told Radio Dabanga that the people sought assistance from the South Kordofan state and federal health ministries three months ago to contain the disease. ?Until now, there was no response.?

He said that the disease became epidemic, after ?the spread of sandflies all over the locality during the start of the rainy season?...

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Kala-azar outbreak in Sudan?s South Kordofan

Humanitarian Bulletin
Sudan
Issue 47 | 17 ? 23 November 2014

http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/OCHA_Sudan_Weekly_Humanitarian_Bulletin_Issue_47_%2817-23_November_2014%29.pdf

Leishmaniasis reported in South Kordofan
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 366 cutaneous leishmaniasis cases
have been confirmed in South Kordofan State, with an additional 644 suspected cases
reported in areas were access is unavailable. Cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic in the
Abu Kershola and El Leri areas due to the presence of sand flies, says to WHO.
In response, WHO supported a mass treatment campaign through which 100 people
received medication and undertook vector control in Abu Kershola town in mid-October.
At the Khartoum level, HAC, the Ministry of Health (MoH) and other Government bodies
are developing a strategy to address the current situation. According to the WHO,
Government policy prioritises treatment of patients with ulcers on the face or hands to
prevent future disfigurement.
Leishmaniasis is caused by parasitic protozoa of the genus Leishmania. People are
infected via the bite of phlebotomine sandflies, which breed in forest areas, caves and
adobe brick houses. Cutaneous leishmaniasis forms ulcers on the skin usually on
exposed areas such as the face, arms and legs. If a patient does not receive treatment,
the ulcers heal on their own after two to three months. This form of leishmaniasis is not
life threatening.
...

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Kala-azar outbreak in Sudan?s South Kordofan

South Sudan
Kala-Azar Update
30 November 2014 Volume 1, Issue 2

http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/south_sudan_kala_azar_30november2014.pdf

The Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) or kala-azar?outbreak
affecting South Sudan continues with cases fluctuating.
Partners have also scaled up the response, increasing treatment
centres from the previous 15 to 17, with the additon
of Koch and Rom ? although these are still less than the 2
facilities in 2013.
From week 1 to 478 (sic) of 2014, a total of 6,936 cases and 196
deaths were reported compared to 2,828 cases and 88
deaths in 2013. Of these cases this year 6,490 were new
cases and 46 relapses/Post- kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis
(PKDL), while 27 were defaulters.
In comparison, of the cases reported over the same
period last year 2,616 were new, 212 relapses/PKDL and
40 defaulters.
Males remain the worst affected, accounting for 3,764
(54.3%) cases, while females account for the rest of the
cases.

The worst affected age group remains 5-17 years,
which constitutes 2,939 cases (42.4%), while those
above 17 years make up 2,387 cases (34.4%) and
children under-5 years account for 1,518 cases
(21.9%).
Lankien, Chuil and Walgak continue to report the highest
number of cases. Lankien reported 4,156 cases
while Chuil reported 1,194 and Walgak 62.
....