Disease

Unexplained cluster of deaths – Liberia

On 25 April 2017, the Ministry of Health of Liberia notified WHO and partners of a cluster of sudden deaths of unknown aetiology in Sinoe County. The event started on 23 April 2017 when an 11-year-old child had been admitted to hospital presenting with diarrhoea, vomiting and mental confusion after attending the funeral of a religious leader on 22 April 2017. The child died within one hour of admission.

As of 4 May 2017, a total of 28 cases including 12 deaths (case fatality rate: 43 %) were reported. Of those, 26 cases including 10 deaths were reported from Sinoe County, all in persons who had attended the funeral. The other two cases, both fatal, were reported from the capital Monrovia in Montserrado County. Investigations are still ongoing.

Hepatitis E – Niger

On 12 April 2017, the Niger Ministry of Health notified WHO of a hepatitis E virus (HEV) outbreak in the Diffa region, located in the eastern part of the country. On 19 April 2017, the outbreak was officially declared by the Minister of Health.

Yellow fever was initially suspected as the cause of this outbreak.Of the 29 samples tested initially, all tested negative for yellow fever and 15 tested positive for hepatitis E by PCR.

As of 3 May 2017, a total of 282 suspected cases including 27 deaths have been reported.

Dengue fever: Peru

Officials with the National Emergency Operations Center (COEN) in Peru are reporting 5,924 confirmed cases of dengue nationwide through Apr. 22, with 60 percent reported from the northern coast.

Thirteen dengue related deaths have been reported. In addition, 13,897 probable cases are also reported.