PRO/AH/EDR> Dengue/DHF update (89): Sudan (KH) increasing incidence, fatal
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DENGUE/DHF UPDATE (89): SUDAN (KHARTOUM) INCREASING INCIDENCE, FATAL
A ProMED-mail post
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International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Date: Wed 2 Oct 2024
Source: Sudan Tribune [abridged, edited]
https://sudantribune.com/article291616/
A surge in dengue fever cases in Khartoum State’s East Nile area has
claimed 10 lives and infected 194 people, according to the area’s
Emergency Room. The area, controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)
since the war began in April 2023, is grappling with a severe health
crisis, including shortages of diagnostic tools, blood banks, and
essential medicines.
Between 18 and 26 Sep [2024], the Emergency Room’s medical office
recorded 194 dengue cases and 10 deaths in Soba East and Al-Jarif
East. An additional 243 cases of unidentified fevers have also been
reported, resulting in 10 further fatalities. A lack of diagnostic
resources has hampered efforts to identify and confirm dengue and
other fevers accurately.
“We are facing immense challenges,” an East Nile Emergency Room member
told Sudan Tribune. “We lack the necessary diagnostic tools and tests.
Intravenous solutions and paracetamol are scarce, with the price of a
single IV solution exceeding 3000 Sudanese pounds [USD 5].”
The absence of blood banks in local health units and a lack of
resources to establish a local blood bank are further exacerbating the
crisis. Health officials are particularly concerned about cases
progressing to the hemorrhagic stage, which is difficult to manage.
The outbreak has also impacted medical staff and volunteers at Al-Ban
Jadeed Hospital, where numerous departments have been closed due to
infections among personnel. Only the maternity and emergency
departments remain operational. Several community kitchens and
shelters have also been forced to suspend operations after volunteers
contracted the disease.
The Emergency Room has issued an urgent appeal to health organizations
for immediate intervention and support, including medical aid
deliveries, to help save lives in the region.