American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume 99, Issue 4, 2018, Pages 1055-1057

Outbreak of Hepatitis E virus infection in displaced persons camps in Diffa region, Niger, 2017 (Article) (Open Access)

Lagare A.* , Ibrahim A. , Ousmane S. , Issaka B. , Zaneidou M. , Kadadé G. , Testa J.
  • a Centre de Recherche Médicale et Sanitaire (CERMES), 634 Boulevard de la Nation, Niamey, YN034, Niger
  • b Ministère de la Santé Publique, Niamey, Niger
  • c Centre de Recherche Médicale et Sanitaire (CERMES), 634 Boulevard de la Nation, Niamey, YN034, Niger
  • d Centre de Recherche Médicale et Sanitaire (CERMES), 634 Boulevard de la Nation, Niamey, YN034, Niger
  • e Ministère de la Santé Publique, Niamey, Niger
  • f Ministère de la Santé Publique, Niamey, Niger
  • g Centre de Recherche Médicale et Sanitaire (CERMES), 634 Boulevard de la Nation, Niamey, YN034, Niger

Abstract

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in developing countries is associated with poor hygiene, lack of clean drinking water, and inadequate sanitation. In this study, we report the first case investigation and describe the present situation of HEVoutbreak within displaced persons camps in the Diffa region, Republic of Niger. The investigation showed the outbreak to be closely linked to unclean water supply, low hygiene, and sanitation facility standards. Between January and September 2017, a total of 1,917 HEV suspect cases were recorded from which 736 (38.4%) have been confirmed positive for HEV by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Overall, 38 (1.9%) deaths were recorded, including 17 (44.7%) pregnant women. The ongoing outbreak highlights poor drinking water quality and sanitation conditions in displaced persons camps in the Diffa region. Disease containment and patient care activities, particularly for pregnant women, may have resulted in decreased transmission of infection and deaths. Copyright © 2018 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

patient care environmental sanitation survival analysis clinical feature human middle aged controlled study geographic distribution hygiene sanitation Humans Adolescent virology male preschool child female risk factor enzyme linked immunosorbent assay Risk Factors Child, Preschool Hepatitis E pregnancy refugee camp Refugee Camps immunology Niger Disease Outbreaks Article disease transmission epidemic blood major clinical study adult Hepatitis Antibodies mortality rate pregnant woman immunoglobulin G Drinking Water environmental monitoring hepatitis antibody Hepatitis E virus mortality water supply pathogenicity Water quality reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85054426922&doi=10.4269%2fajtmh.17-0950&partnerID=40&md5=adfce749a61d541daaf19026fddcba7c
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.17-0950
ISSN: 00029637
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English