AFRICA/SUDAN - Almost 5.000 cases of hepatitis E in Darfur where 73 people died after drinking dirty water

Rome (Fides Service) - Hepatitis E continues to spread in northern and southern Darfur, where the virus has infected 4,524 people and killed 73, whereas in western Darfur the virus is in slight regression. This was reported by the World Health Organisation in Geneva.
Diseases are spreading because poor hygienic conditions in refugee camps have degenerated since the beginning of the rainy season. The number of children with respiratory infections and diarrhoea is also rising.
Whereas there are less cases of Hepatitis E in camps of Sudanese refugees in Chad. WHO says that on 12 September, 1,292 persons had been infected by the virus (42 had died).
Hepatitis E is very rare form which can be lethal for pregnant women and is registered more among adults than children. It is contracted by via feco-oral, through contaminated water or food. The symptoms are similar to those of Hepatitis A: jaundice, anorexia, abdominal pains, nausea, vomiting and fever. There is no treatment which cures, but the symptoms can be alleviated.
Since the disease is not chronic, if the patient survives, it is reabsorbed: the virus disappears and the liver begins to work normally again. There are no vaccines to prevent the disease hence the need to prevent it by guaranteeing clean water, latrines, improved sanitation, draining of sewage. (AP) (20/9/2004 Agenzia Fides; Righe:22; Parole:252)