By Charles K Mark
Authorities in Longochuk County, Upper Nile State reported a series of fatalities as a result of a deadly viral disease.
World Health Organization (WHO) linked the fatalities to a suspected viral hemorrhagic fever outbreak in a secluded village of Dajo and Pacime.
“Patients displayed concerning symptoms, including fever, headache, and diarrhea, with many cases reported among children,” the UN Health Agency said in a report.
A swift multi-pronged approach was employed to tackle the outbreak by the leadership and coordination despite challenges posed by isolation of the location.
Leaders also applied rigorous surveillance, meticulous contact tracing, and effective risk communication despite limited healthcare infrastructure and poor road infrastructure.
WHO also dispatched a multidisciplinary team comprising clinicians, nurses, and public health experts to investigate the suspected viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) outbreak and augment surveillance measures.
The global health agency revealed that it gathered 45 patient samples and conducted tests at the National Public Health Laboratory in Juba.
“With 26.58% of the samples testing positive for measles and 32.71% for malaria,” WHO revealed
It further reported the delivery of 42 essential health emergency kits, including vital malaria rapid diagnostic test kits, inter-agency emergency health kits, sample collection kits, and transportation kits.
The provisions, according to the World Health Organization, were estimated to cater for the immediate needs of up to 10, 000 people over the ensuing three months.
The World Health Organization also coordinated an integrated mass vaccination campaign aimed at providing vital protection against communicable diseases.
The agency said over 220 individuals received urgently required healthcare services during the initial response.