Disease

Lassa Fever - Nigeria

The Nigeria Federal Ministry of Health is reporting an increase in Lassa fever in 2016 to date, according to the latest data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. During the first six months of 2016, the west African country reported 744 suspected Lassa fever cases with 72 lab-confirmed and 87 deaths.

Cholera in Sudan

Hundreds of cholera cases have been reported in South Sudan in the last two weeks, leading to the death of 14 people.

The UN and its partners have responded by implementing a vaccination campaign aimed at reaching more than 14 000 people and creating rehydration and treatment centres, the UN reported on Wednesday.

With the conditions favourable for transmission of cholera due to increased population displacement, overcrowding, poor hygiene and sanitation, this outbreak could further exacerbate an already weak health system which is also battling malnutrition, measles and malaria.

The risk of further spread of diseases is a major concern. With the coming rains, it is realistic to expect an increase in malaria and water-borne diseases.