17 November 2019 – The Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) reported 15 cases of Rift Valley fever (RVF) during epidemiological week 46 (10 – 6 November) of 2019. The cumulative number of reported cases since week 31 (28 July – 5 August) this year is 308 including 11 associated death with a case fatality rate of 3.6%. The attack rate was 0.78 per 10 000 population. Among all reported cases 60% were male. 71.4% of the cases were older than 15 years. The most affected age group were 45 years and above who accounted for 29.9% of all cases.

The outbreak was reported in week 37 (8 – 14 September) from Red Sea state. the number of cases increased gradually to reach its peak in week 42 when 89 cases were reported. Currently 11 localities are reporting RVF cases in the states of Red Sea, River Nile, Khartoum, White Nile, Kassla and Algdaref. The highest reporting state is Rive Nile (177 cases) followed by Red Sea (126 cases).

All of the cases complained from fever. Other frequent symptoms included headaches followed by joint pain (76.3 % and 50.3 % respectively). Only 4.2% had bleeding.

Blood samples were collected from 52 patients with 33 coming out positive and one negative as reported by the National Public Health Laboratory of Sudan.

WHO continues to provide leadership and support for activities with health authorities and partners to respond to this ongoing RVF outbreak, including case management, surveillance, laboratory investigations and risk communications. Entomological surveillance and vector control measures are also being implemented. Coordination between FMOH, the animal health sector, the Ministry of Agriculture, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and WHO have been strengthened.