The health ministry Unity State over the weekend confirmed cases 20 cases of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) after blood samples sent to Juba for testing returned positive.
The outbreak was confirmed in the camp for internally displaced people after epidemiological testing conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) following a report of the outbreak of a disease characterized by yellowing of the eyes, yellow urine, and joint pains among dwellers of the camp in Bentiu.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj over the weekend, the director general in the state health ministry. Dr. Duol Biem said they had confirmed the presence of Hepatitis E after tests.
“It is difficult to say the exact numbers but 20 samples tested up to 70 percent positive out of the 91 blood samples taken to Juba,” he said. This means that it has been confirmed that the cases of yellow eyes are caused by Hepatitis E.”
Following the confirmation of the outbreak, the state health ministry came up with precautionary and preventative measures to protect against the spread of the disease.
“As a ministry, we are doing three things: All water sources within Bentiu camp and in all the counties in Unity State should be assessed and samples taken and tested and treated,” Dr. Biem said. “Secondly, the water retailers and distributors will be screened because there are some containers that are damaged and need to be repaired. Youth selling water needs to be tested and those found fit will be granted access to selected water points.”
He urged the displaced people in Bentiu camp to be responsible and protect themselves from contracting Hepatitis E.
“The biggest responsibility lies with the community and you should buy water from a vendor whose is physically clean, hygienic, and has a clean water tank,” he said.
According to Dr. Biem, the Hepatitis E vaccine freely is available at all vaccination centers and people should go and receive it.
The virus is shed in the stool of infected persons and enters the human body through the intestine and is transmitted mainly through contaminated drinking water. Occasionally, a serious disease known as fulminant hepatitis (acute liver failure) develops, which can be fatal.
In March 2022, MSF Holland and South Sudan’s Ministry of Health launched the first hepatitis E vaccination campaign after an outbreak in Bentiu in Unity state.