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WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES
Week 2: 08- 14 January 2024
Data as reported by: 17:00; 14 January 2024
...
South Sudan
Yellow Fever
19 Cases
5 Deaths
26% CFR
EVENT DESCRIPTION
The Ministry of health of South Sudan issued a press
statement on yellow fever outbreak in Yambio County,
Western Equatorial State on 24 December 2023,
following a positive laboratory test at the National
Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) in a 24-year old male.
This case was reported from a resident of Gangura
centre village in Gangura Payam. The single case who
was initially diagnosed with typhoid fever, developed
symptoms including generalized body weakness,
headache, epigastric discomfort, fever, and vomiting on
14 December 2023.
The case deteriorated further while presenting with
severe symptoms; vomiting of blood and jaundice. A
viral haemorrhagic fever disease was suspected and
the patient was isolated at the health facility where a
blood sample was taken for further investigation. The
case tested positive for Yellow Fever on 24 December
2023 at the NPHL by Reverse Transcription Polymerase
Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing. The blood sample
was shipped to the WHO regional reference laboratory,
Uganda virus Research Institute for quality control check
and yellow fever was confirmed on 4 January 2024.
In addition to Yambio county, suspected cases of
Yellow fever have been reported in two other counties
of the same Western Equatoria state: Nzara County and
Tambura County.
Cumulatively, as of 10 January 2024, a total of 20
yellow fever related cases were reported including 19
suspected cases and one confirmed case. Among the
suspected cases, five deaths have been reported. All
cases were reported from Western Equatorial State with
Yambio county (50%, n=10), reporting the majority, Nzara
County (25%, n=5) and Tambura County (25%, n=5).
Of the reported cases, 70% (n=14) are males, and 30 %
(n=6) females. The median age is 26 years with the range
of 2-58 years. Currently six samples are undergoing
serological testing at NPHL. The last suspected case was
reported on 9 January 2024 showing that the outbreak is
still active.
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS
When the alert on suspected viral haemorrhagic
fever was aired on 21 December 2023, the Ministry
of Health at national level and the State Ministry
of Health with support from WHO and partners
provided operational and strategic guidance for
the preparedness and response activities.
The yellow fever outbreak was officially declared
on 6 January 2024 by the health authorities
following the press statement on the same
released on 24 December 2023.
The Public Health Emergency Operation Centre
has been activated to facilitate the coordination
of activities. Daily coordination meetings with
stakeholders and key partners are ongoing.
A rapid response team is on the ground conducting
an outbreak investigation, active case search and
community-based surveillance.
All facilities have been alerted to screen and
triage for suspected cases using the outbreak
case definition and an interim case management
guide has been developed to support health care
workers in management of patients.
Stakeholders’ mapping has been completed, and
key messages on yellow fever prevention and
reporting have been prepared and distributed.
The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with WHO
and partners, has developed a comprehensive
micro plan for yellow fever vaccination to submit
to the International Coordinating Group a request
of 314 265 dose of yellow fever vaccine for the
three affected counties (Nzara, Tambura and
Yambio).
SITUATION INTERPRETATION
The ongoing yellow fever outbreak in South Sudan
was confirmed in only Yambio County, however Nzara
and Tambura counties have reported suspected
yellow fever cases and related fatalities. While efforts
to control the ongoing yellow fever outbreak is being
South Sudan deployed by the authorities and partners, some challenges that need to be addressed for a rapid control of the
outbreak are reported. These include the limited partners on the ground to support the response, the community
perceptions regarding patients with jaundice, the limited capacity to manage severe cases at the available health
facilities and weak surveillance and laboratory system in some counties in Western Equatoria State. To address these
challenges will need more resources mobilization and engagement from all stakeholders.
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES
Week 2: 08- 14 January 2024
Data as reported by: 17:00; 14 January 2024
...
South Sudan
Yellow Fever
19 Cases
5 Deaths
26% CFR
EVENT DESCRIPTION
The Ministry of health of South Sudan issued a press
statement on yellow fever outbreak in Yambio County,
Western Equatorial State on 24 December 2023,
following a positive laboratory test at the National
Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) in a 24-year old male.
This case was reported from a resident of Gangura
centre village in Gangura Payam. The single case who
was initially diagnosed with typhoid fever, developed
symptoms including generalized body weakness,
headache, epigastric discomfort, fever, and vomiting on
14 December 2023.
The case deteriorated further while presenting with
severe symptoms; vomiting of blood and jaundice. A
viral haemorrhagic fever disease was suspected and
the patient was isolated at the health facility where a
blood sample was taken for further investigation. The
case tested positive for Yellow Fever on 24 December
2023 at the NPHL by Reverse Transcription Polymerase
Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing. The blood sample
was shipped to the WHO regional reference laboratory,
Uganda virus Research Institute for quality control check
and yellow fever was confirmed on 4 January 2024.
In addition to Yambio county, suspected cases of
Yellow fever have been reported in two other counties
of the same Western Equatoria state: Nzara County and
Tambura County.
Cumulatively, as of 10 January 2024, a total of 20
yellow fever related cases were reported including 19
suspected cases and one confirmed case. Among the
suspected cases, five deaths have been reported. All
cases were reported from Western Equatorial State with
Yambio county (50%, n=10), reporting the majority, Nzara
County (25%, n=5) and Tambura County (25%, n=5).
Of the reported cases, 70% (n=14) are males, and 30 %
(n=6) females. The median age is 26 years with the range
of 2-58 years. Currently six samples are undergoing
serological testing at NPHL. The last suspected case was
reported on 9 January 2024 showing that the outbreak is
still active.
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS
When the alert on suspected viral haemorrhagic
fever was aired on 21 December 2023, the Ministry
of Health at national level and the State Ministry
of Health with support from WHO and partners
provided operational and strategic guidance for
the preparedness and response activities.
The yellow fever outbreak was officially declared
on 6 January 2024 by the health authorities
following the press statement on the same
released on 24 December 2023.
The Public Health Emergency Operation Centre
has been activated to facilitate the coordination
of activities. Daily coordination meetings with
stakeholders and key partners are ongoing.
A rapid response team is on the ground conducting
an outbreak investigation, active case search and
community-based surveillance.
All facilities have been alerted to screen and
triage for suspected cases using the outbreak
case definition and an interim case management
guide has been developed to support health care
workers in management of patients.
Stakeholders’ mapping has been completed, and
key messages on yellow fever prevention and
reporting have been prepared and distributed.
The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with WHO
and partners, has developed a comprehensive
micro plan for yellow fever vaccination to submit
to the International Coordinating Group a request
of 314 265 dose of yellow fever vaccine for the
three affected counties (Nzara, Tambura and
Yambio).
SITUATION INTERPRETATION
The ongoing yellow fever outbreak in South Sudan
was confirmed in only Yambio County, however Nzara
and Tambura counties have reported suspected
yellow fever cases and related fatalities. While efforts
to control the ongoing yellow fever outbreak is being
South Sudan deployed by the authorities and partners, some challenges that need to be addressed for a rapid control of the
outbreak are reported. These include the limited partners on the ground to support the response, the community
perceptions regarding patients with jaundice, the limited capacity to manage severe cases at the available health
facilities and weak surveillance and laboratory system in some counties in Western Equatoria State. To address these
challenges will need more resources mobilization and engagement from all stakeholders.
