Ronan Kelly
Retired 2020
Re: Republic of South Sudan: Humanitarian Bulletins 2012/ 2013
Humanitarian Bulletin
South Sudan
23 - 29 September 2013
...
Government declares polio outbreak
The Government of South Sudan confirmed three cases of polio, one in
Eastern Equatoria and two in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, and declared the outbreak a national health emergency on 26 September.
Girls aged 2 and 8 years in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, and a 2-year-old girl in Eastern Equatoria State were confirmed as having the wild polio virus after tests were conducted at the Kenya Medical
Research Institute in Nairobi.
South Sudan had been polio-free since
June 2009. However, since the polio outbreak in Somalia was confirmed in May
this year and cases reported in Kenya and Ethiopia, medical authorities in South Sudan have
been on high alert to look out for possible cases.
The Government is working closely with health partners in-country and around the world to
prevent the spread of the wild polio virus. An emergency vaccination campaign in the areas
where the polio virus was detected was launched and will continue through to 4 October in
Eastern Equatoria, Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Warrap states. This will compliment ongoing
efforts by the government and health partners in conducting preventive polio vaccination
campaigns since August, in areas considered most at risk of the polio outbreak, especially
along border areas. Additional campaigns are planned for all the states from October to
December to ensure children are protected from the polio virus.
Polio is an infectious disease transmitted from an infected person through water or food contaminated
with faecal matter. The disease has no cure, frequently kills children, leaves many
children disabled, and is highly contagious. Vaccination is the only means of protection.
Upper Nile reports 43 suspected cases of measles
Partners reported 43 suspected cases of measles in Malakal County, Upper Nile State, since
August this year. 10 of 15 samples collected from patients tested positive for measles, according
to Upper Nile State Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization. The affected,
who are children aged between 6 and 18 months, continue to receive treatment at
Malakal hospital.
The Ministry of Health working with health partners have reactivated national and state
measles taskforces to coordinate response operation, and are strengthening surveillance at
facility and community levels. A mass measles vaccination campaign was launched targeting
over 31,300 children in Malakal County.
Between January and May, outbreaks were recorded in Central Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria,
Lakes, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Western Equatorial and Upper Nile states.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease, which affects mostly children. It is transmitted
via droplets from the nose, mouth or throat of infected persons. Measles can be prevented
by immunization.
...
http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefwe...umanitarian_Bulletin_23_29_September_2013.pdf
Humanitarian Bulletin
South Sudan
23 - 29 September 2013
...
Government declares polio outbreak
The Government of South Sudan confirmed three cases of polio, one in
Eastern Equatoria and two in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, and declared the outbreak a national health emergency on 26 September.
Girls aged 2 and 8 years in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, and a 2-year-old girl in Eastern Equatoria State were confirmed as having the wild polio virus after tests were conducted at the Kenya Medical
Research Institute in Nairobi.
South Sudan had been polio-free since
June 2009. However, since the polio outbreak in Somalia was confirmed in May
this year and cases reported in Kenya and Ethiopia, medical authorities in South Sudan have
been on high alert to look out for possible cases.
The Government is working closely with health partners in-country and around the world to
prevent the spread of the wild polio virus. An emergency vaccination campaign in the areas
where the polio virus was detected was launched and will continue through to 4 October in
Eastern Equatoria, Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Warrap states. This will compliment ongoing
efforts by the government and health partners in conducting preventive polio vaccination
campaigns since August, in areas considered most at risk of the polio outbreak, especially
along border areas. Additional campaigns are planned for all the states from October to
December to ensure children are protected from the polio virus.
Polio is an infectious disease transmitted from an infected person through water or food contaminated
with faecal matter. The disease has no cure, frequently kills children, leaves many
children disabled, and is highly contagious. Vaccination is the only means of protection.
Upper Nile reports 43 suspected cases of measles
Partners reported 43 suspected cases of measles in Malakal County, Upper Nile State, since
August this year. 10 of 15 samples collected from patients tested positive for measles, according
to Upper Nile State Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization. The affected,
who are children aged between 6 and 18 months, continue to receive treatment at
Malakal hospital.
The Ministry of Health working with health partners have reactivated national and state
measles taskforces to coordinate response operation, and are strengthening surveillance at
facility and community levels. A mass measles vaccination campaign was launched targeting
over 31,300 children in Malakal County.
Between January and May, outbreaks were recorded in Central Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria,
Lakes, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Western Equatorial and Upper Nile states.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease, which affects mostly children. It is transmitted
via droplets from the nose, mouth or throat of infected persons. Measles can be prevented
by immunization.
...
http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefwe...umanitarian_Bulletin_23_29_September_2013.pdf