[Leish-l] ENC: PRO/AH/EDR> Leishmaniasis, visceral - Sudan (02): (SO)

TECSA - Luiz Ristow ristow at tecsa.com.br
Mon Oct 11 14:52:25 BRT 2010






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De: owner-promed-ahead-edr at promed.isid.harvard.edu
[mailto:owner-promed-ahead-edr at promed.isid.harvard.edu] Em nome de
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Enviada em: sábado, 9 de outubro de 2010 17:00
Para: promed-ahead-edr at promedmail.org
Assunto: PRO/AH/EDR> Leishmaniasis, visceral - Sudan (02): (SO)

LEISHMANIASIS, VISCERAL - SUDAN (02): (SOUTHERN)
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Date: Fri 8 Oct 2010
Source: BBC News [edited]
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-11503876>


Leishmaniasis increases 6-fold in southern Sudan
------------------------------------------------
The number of cases of a potentially fatal parasitic disease 
[leishmaniasis] has increased 6-fold in southern Sudan. Visceral 
leishmaniasis -- also known as kala-azar -- is the most severe form 
of the disease. More than 6000 people have been infected and more 
than 300 have died in the last year.

The World Health Organization and the Sudanese ministry of health are 
leading the distribution of treatments and testing equipment to affected
areas.

Visceral leishmaniasis is caused by the Leishmania parasite and 
transmitted via the bite of an infected sand fly. It is the most 
dangerous form of the disease because the parasite migrates into the 
spleen and liver. It causes high fever, significant weight loss, 
enlargement of the spleen and liver, and anaemia. If left untreated 
visceral leishmaniasis is nearly always fatal.

The number of cases from September 2009 until now is more than 6 
times higher than in 2007-08. The counties of Old Fangak and Ayod in 
the south of the country are particularly affected.

"Before the situation becomes uncontrollable, we must do something 
about it," Dr Abdi Aden WHO Dr Abdi Aden, head of the WHO's office 
for Southern Sudan said. "The increased number of cases in Old 
Fangak, Ayod and surrounding areas is very disturbing and it is 
becoming difficult to contain the outbreak."

To keep responding to the outbreak over the next 6 months an 
additional USD 700 000 is needed. This will buy more treatments, 
diagnostic kits as well as food supplies.

Kala-azar suppresses the immune system making patients vulnerable to 
other infections like pneumonia and malaria. Those that are 
malnourished are at particularly high risk of dying. The disease is 
difficult to treat -- daily injections for a month are needed, so 
patients need to stay close to health facilities. But many patients 
still cannot reach treatment centres due to insecurity, flooding and
distance.

Dr Mounir Christo Lado of the Sudanese ministry of health said the 
kala-azar outbreak could worsen between now and next spring. 
"Insecurity, flooding and the lack of health facilities across a vast 
geographical area are all playing a part in limiting access to 
treatment for this deadly disease," he said.

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Communicated by:
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[Leishmaniasis is endemic in southern Sudan. A recent review has just 
been published: Postigo JA. Leishmaniasis in the World Health 
Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 
2010 Aug 19. [Epub ahead of print].

In southern Sudan transmission of _Leishmania donovani_ from human to 
human is probably the most important route of infection. Thus a 
breakdown of vector control and lack of treatment facilities and 
resources could be one explanation for the surge in cases. 
Leishmaniasis is an HIV-associated infection and the surge could also 
be HIV-related. The previously reported outbreak in Jonglei State is 
probably part of the increase in cases in this report. - Mod.EP]

[see also:
Leishmaniasis, visceral - Sudan: (JG)  20100808.2709
2009
----
Leishmaniasis - Sudan: (southern)  20091107.3851
2003
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Leishmaniasis - Sudan (03)  20031228.3152
2002
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Leishmaniasis - Sudan (02)  20021117.5835
Leishmaniasis - Sudan  20021110.5767
Early warning network (EWARN) - Sudan (south)  20020126.3399
2000
----
Leishmaniasis, visceral - Kenya (Wajir)  20000625.1048
Leishmaniasis, visceral - Kenya (Wajir) (02)  20000626.1053
Leishmaniasis, visceral - Kenya (Wajir) (03)  20000705.1113
Leishmaniasis, visceral - Kenya (Wajir) (04)  20000714.1165
Leishmaniasis, visceral - Kenya (Wajir) (05)  20000825.1421
Leishmaniasis, visceral - Kenya (Wajir) (06)  20000828.1439
1997
----
Leishmania/HIV co-infections  19970222.0427]
...................ep/ejp/dk

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