Outbreak of Hepatitis E Virus Infection in Displaced Persons Camps in Diffa Region, Niger, 2017

Adamou Lagare Centre de Recherche Médicale et Sanitaire (CERMES), Niamey, Niger;

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Alkassoum Ibrahim Ministère de la Santé Publique, Niamey, Niger

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Sani Ousmane Centre de Recherche Médicale et Sanitaire (CERMES), Niamey, Niger;

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Bassira Issaka Centre de Recherche Médicale et Sanitaire (CERMES), Niamey, Niger;

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Maman Zaneidou Ministère de la Santé Publique, Niamey, Niger

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Goumbi Kadadé Ministère de la Santé Publique, Niamey, Niger

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Jean Testa Centre de Recherche Médicale et Sanitaire (CERMES), Niamey, Niger;

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.17-0950
Volume/Issue:
Volume 99: Issue 4
Page(s):
1055–1057
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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 HEV outbreak 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.

Author Notes

Address correspondence to Adamou Lagare, Centre de Recherche Médicale et Sanitaire (CERMES), 634 Boulevard de la Nation, BP 10887, YN034 Niamey, Niger. E-mail: lagare@cermes.org

Authors’ addresses: Adamou Lagare, Sani Ousmane, Bassira Issaka, and Jean Testa, Centre de Recherche Médicale et Sanitaire (CERMES), Niamey, Niger, E-mails: lagare@cermes.org, osani@cermes.org, bassira@cermes.org, and jean.testa@unice.fr. Alkassoum Ibrahim, Maman Zaneidou, and Goumbi Kadadé, Ministère de la Santé Publique, Niamey, Niger, E-mails: ibrahim_alkassoum@yahoo.fr, mzaneidou@yahoo.fr, and goumbikadad@yahoo.fr.

Copyright:
© The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2018
Received:
05 Dec 2017
|
Accepted:
24 Jun 2018
|
Published Online:
30 Jul 2018
Cover The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Print ISSN:
0002-9637
Online ISSN:
1476-1645
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