2021 South Sudan disease outbreak explained

Disease:Unknown
First Reported:
Dates:-->
Hospitalised Cases:-->
Deaths:97[1]

On 14 December 2021, the World Health Organization launched an investigation into an unknown disease that has resulted in at least 89 deaths in Fangak, Jonglei State, South Sudan.[2] Symptoms of the disease were said to be cough, diarrhea, fever, headache, chest pain, joint pain, loss of appetite, and body weakness. As of the last report of the disease, in late December 2021, 97 people had died of the disease.[3]

History

In early December, 2021, South Sudan's ministry of health reported dozens of deaths due to an unidentified illness. The reports came amidst severe flooding in the region and prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to send rapid response team to collect samples of the disease.[4] Initial samples tested negative for cholera.

Notes and References

  1. News: Mandil. Nichola. 14 December 2021. WHO probing mysterious deaths in northern South Sudan. BBC News. 15 December 2021.
  2. Web site: 2021-12-14. WHO investigates unidentified disease after nearly 100 people die in South Sudan. https://web.archive.org/web/20211214153815/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/who-south-sudan-100-dead-b1975816.html . 2021-12-14 . limited . live. 2021-12-15. The Independent. en.
  3. Web site: Heilman . Greg . 2021-12-24 . What disease does WHO say is causing deaths in South Sudan? . 2022-10-24 . Diario AS . en.
  4. Web site: Shovelin. Emilia. Sun. The. 2021-12-14. At least 89 killed by mystery disease as WHO deploys task force amid fears of outbreak. 2021-12-15. New York Post. en-US.