Khartoum — A "Situation Report" on the yellow fever outbreak in Darfur jointly released by the Sudanese federal ministry of health and by the World Health Organisation (WHO) asserted that 171 people have died of the disease in the region as of 9 January.

The report also indicated that 849 suspected cases of yellow fever have been reported in Darfur since 2 September 2012.

 

Additionally, the case fatality rate (CFR) of the disease is suspected to be of 20.1 percent.

Information suggests that 35 out of the 64 localities of Darfur have been affected by the disease. Central Darfur is reportedly still the most affected state with 51.5 percent of the registered cases. It is followed by North Darfur (21%), West Darfur (17.4%) and South Darfur (9.5%).

East Darfur is not mentioned in this calculation, being allegedly the least affected state with 0.6 percent of the diagnosed cases -based on the percentage provided above.

1.1 million vaccinated

So far, "1.1 million people" were vaccinated against yellow fever in Darfur.

The second phase of the campaign covered 95 percent of South Darfur's targeted population, 87% of West Darfur, and 86% of Central Darfur, the joint statement announced.

For the campaign's third phase, the WHO recommends the inclusion of 2 million people residing in the following areas: Kabkabiya, Edd Elfursan (including Kabum locality), Elwihda, Shaeriya (including Yassin locality), El-Daen, Rokiro and Umm Dukhun.

"The first vaccine shipment of 670,400 doses is scheduled to arrive Sudan on 14 January, while second shipment of 702,000 doses and third shipment of 827,600 doses will be delivered shortly afterwards".

A total of 1754 blood samples were collected from different zones of Sudan and sent to a virologist from Institute Pasteur in Dakar, Senegal, to analyze the material. He is reportedly working at the National Public Health Laboratory in Khartoum.