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

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 reg...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene 2018-01, Vol.99 (4), p.1055-1057
Main Authors: Lagare, Adamou, Ibrahim, Alkassoum, Ousmane, Sani, Issaka, Bassira, Zaneidou, Maman, Kadadé, Goumbi, Testa, Jean
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Child
Child, Preschool
Disease Outbreaks
Displaced persons
Drinking water
Drinking Water - virology
Female
Hepatitis
Hepatitis Antibodies - blood
Hepatitis E - epidemiology
Hepatitis E - immunology
Hepatitis E - mortality
Hepatitis E - virology
Hepatitis E virus - immunology
Hepatitis E virus - pathogenicity
Humans
Hygiene
Immunoglobulin G - blood
Infections
Male
Middle Aged
Niger - epidemiology
Pregnancy
Refugee Camps
Risk Factors
Sanitation
Survival Analysis
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0002-9637
1476-1645
DOI:10.4269/ajtmh.17-0950