By Hou Akot Hou
Health authorities in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State are warning of a surge in Hepatitis E cases, with medics at Aweil Civil Hospital reporting an increasing number of patients seeking treatment.
Health workers say young mothers, children, and elderly people are among those affected, with poor access to clean drinking water and inadequate sanitation contributing to the spread of the disease.
Luka Lual Aleu, Health Education Focal Point at Aweil Civil Hospital, told No. 1 Citizen Daily English Newspaper on Monday that the number of Hepatitis E cases had risen significantly in recent weeks.
“The number of patients received last month was 19, and this recent week we diagnosed 21 again, and they are all suffering from Hepatitis E,” Lual said.
He attributed the increase largely to limited access to safe drinking water and poor sanitation practices in communities.
“The problem is that our local community members drink water that mixes with feces, which makes them susceptible to getting the disease,” he said.
According to Lual, health authorities and humanitarian partners are concerned that the number of cases recorded this year is already approaching levels that previously took an entire year to reach.
“We have seen this as too volatile. It was 60 recorded last year, and only 11 people died from the number, and this year alone is 40, and the year is still [ongoing],” he warned.
He urged residents to improve hygiene and sanitation practices, particularly by avoiding open defecation, which he said was contributing to the contamination of water sources.
“People need to give up defecating in the open. It is contributing a lot to the rise of the infection,” Lual said.
He appealed to communities to protect water sources, practice proper sanitation, and seek medical attention when symptoms appear.
Hepatitis E is a viral infection that affects the liver and is commonly transmitted through contaminated drinking water or food.
Symptoms may include jaundice, fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. The disease can be particularly dangerous for pregnant women and people with weakened health.
Health authorities are calling for stronger community awareness, improved sanitation, and access to safe water to prevent further spread of the disease in Northern Bahr el Ghazal.