Breaking News: Hepatitis E Virus Outbreak Reported In Wau Reported By World Health Organization "WHO", State Of Emergency Declared In Wau

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Health Ministry in Western Bahr El Ghazal State said, the blood samples taken to Juba for testing have all shown positive results for Hepatitis E Virus, this forced the ministry to declare a state of emergency in Wau. 

The test on the blood samples was conducted by World Health Organization "WHO" leading to the declaration of an outbreak. 

Dr. Vincent Taban the State's Health Minister while speaking to the media said that, his ministry sent over 30 blood samples to juba for testing which all came with a positive results for Hepatitis E. 

“It is difficult to say the numbers but we say accumulated numbers of cases and as I said, 35 were tested positive from the first cases taken to Juba and we also sent 91, and most came positive of not less than 70% from the (blood) samples and this means that it has been confirmed that the cases of yellow eyes are Hepatitis E,” Dr. Taban said.  

  

After the results came out positive the health Ministry have came up with measures to prevent and protect the civilians against the spread of the disease. 

“As the Ministry of Health, we are doing three things; all water sources within Wau town in particular and at the county level in general and am saying this as an order to the public health officers in both three counties and municipality that all the water sources should be assessed, should be screened, samples taken and tested and treated,” Dr. Taban said.

Dr. Taban further said that “Secondly, the water carriers and the retailers, the youth moving with water will be screened because there are some containers that are damaged and need to be repaired. Youth selling water needs to be tested and based on the health card that will be given to them. This will grant them access to selected water points,” Dr. Taban said. 

Dr. Taban, concluded by urging the communities in Wau to be careful and protect themselves and their families from the virus. 

“The biggest responsibility is to the community; in each family, anybody you want to buy water from should be physically and hygienically clean with his water tank and the donkey and water he is carrying is clean and if not, don’t buy,” Dr. Taban concluded. 

The minister stated that the Hepatitis E vaccine is available at all EPI centres and that individuals who want to get the HEV vaccination are welcome. The HEV vaccine is free.

According to World Health Organization "WHO", Hepatitis E is inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV). The virus has at least 4 different types: genotypes 1, 2, 3 and 4. Genotypes 1 and 2 have been found only in humans. Genotypes 3 and 4 circulate in several animals including pigs, wild boars and deer without causing any disease, and occasionally infect humans.