UN warns against hepatitis E outbreak in Sudan

Warning against the flare-up of hepatitis E in Sudan and which is likely to grow with an influx of more people arriving at the camps from neighboring Sudan, the United Nations refugee agency spokesman has said an outbreak of hepatitis E has killed 26 refugees in South Sudanese camps. Spokesman Adrian Edwards said here Friday that the camps have been hit by 1,050 cases of hepatitis E, a life-threatening disease that attacks the liver and is spread through contaminated food and water. Edwards told reporters today that 26 refugees have died in camps in Upper Nile state, where thousands of new refugees fleeing fighting between rebels and the Sudanese government are expected in the next few weeks. the United Nations refugee agency spokesman further said the the disease is endemic in Upper Nile and Unity states, where 175,000 Sudanese refugees have settled, with the risk of infection high in camps.