By Mamer Abraham
National Ministry of Health has announced an outbreak of Hepatitis E virus in Fangak of Jonglei State and Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA).
The report seen by No.1 Citizen Daily Newspaper indicates 12 deaths from Fangak accounting for 19 percent fatality rate.
“It is worth noting that out of the 12 recorded deaths, 8 were recorded among women of reproductive age group with the median age of 24.5 (IQR 20-30),” read the statement.
The Health Ministry stated that thirteen samples were collected, and three out of those samples tested positive for Hepatitis E Virus and with 63 positive cases confirmed in Fangak.
According to the statement eight of the reported death cases accounting for 66.7 percent of the reported deaths were among women of reproductive age with the median age affected being 33 and men the most infected with 58.7 percent of the reported cases
The ministry called upon the public not to panic but exercise vigilance advising the public to take precautionary measures such as drinking of purified or boiled water, cook food well, wash hands with soap among others.
Hepatitis E Virus is a liver infection found in “the stool of an infected person,” with its common source being contaminated water.
South Sudanese continue drinking unclean water fetched directly from the rivers and thus exposing them to a number of bacterial and viral diseases.