A joint Ministry of Health and WHO mission was in Darfur to assess the yellow fever outbreak

Highlights

As of 25 November 2012, 48% of the target population in West Darfur, 12% in Central Darfur, 19.9% in North Darfur and 6% in South Darfur were vaccinated against yellow fever in a 12-day vaccination campaign. Vaccination campaigns in targeted localities commenced on different dates: 20 November in West Darfur, 24 November in North and Central Darfur, and 25 November in South Darfur.

The outbreak has now affected 32 localities in Central, South, West, North, and East Darfur. As of 25 November, the total number of suspected cases has reached 601, including 130 deaths (case fatality rate of 21.6%).

There is a need to increase the sampling rate of suspect cases in all localities in order to better characterize the outbreak and its spread and to inform on vaccine need.

With support from the U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit no. 3 (NAMRU-3), activities such as laboratory analysis for collected samples as well as on-the-job training for laboratory staff are ongoing at the National Public Health Laboratory.

Situation Report No 10- Yellow Fever Outbreak in Darfur 26 November 2012