Please find attached the latest situation report from the WHO Country Office. Additional information is posted on the WHO Disease outbreak news website (http://www.who.int/csr/don/2012_12_06/en/index.html) and the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO) website (http://www.emro.who.int/sdn/sudan-news/yellowfever-sudan-10december2012.html)
Highlights
§ As of 19 December 2012, 26% of Nyala’s targeted population as well as 88% of the targeted population of Forbranga locality in West Darfur were vaccinated against yellow fever during Phase II of the vaccination campaign. The campaign commenced on 9 December in West Darfur, 17 December in South Darfur, and on 18 December in Central Darfur.
§ The outbreak has now affected 34 localities in Central, South, West, North, and East Darfur. As of 19 December, the total number of suspected cases has reached 836, including 168 deaths (case fatality rate of 20.1%).
§ As part of the emergency response plan, WHO recommended the third phase of vaccination campaign for approximately 2 million people residing in Kabkabyaia, Edd Elfursan (including Kabum locality), Elwihda, Shaeriya (including Yassin locality), Eldaen, Rokiro and Um Dukhun.
§ United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) is supporting Phase-III of the yellow fever vaccination campaign with USD2.9 million and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) with USD 500,000. Phases I and II have been supported by CERF, ECHO and the Government of Sweden.
§ To further asses the epidemic risks in other areas of the country, the national yellow fever risk assessment commenced on 12 December. The final report is expected to be released in February 2013.
Request for assistance of GOARN partners
WHO would be grateful for the assistance of GOARN partners to identify one experienced Entomologist to support this mission. Assistance of GOARN partners that are regionally available is a priority.
Terms of Reference
§ Conduct comprehensive entomological investigation in Greater Darfur states for Aedes mosquitoes (urban and rural areas).
§ Assess the habitat breeding sites of the Aedes mosquitoes in Greater Darfur states.
§ Investigate the cause of Yellow fever outbreak using entomological indicators (i.e. Nurtiti locality in Central Darfur).
§ Conduct entomological evaluation after intervention carried out during Yellow fever outbreak control (assessing Aedes indices and virus detection in collected Aedes mosquitoes).
§ Help FMOH to build prediction / early warning system for emergence of Arboviruses outbreaks.
Language requirements
Candidates must be fluent in English.
Duration of mission
Duration of the mission is 3 – 4 weeks, start date is as soon as possible.
Location
Central, South, West, North, and East Darfur.
Support to the mission
The expert is expected to work as short-term consultant under the supervision of the WHO Country Representative (WR) in Sudan. WHO GOARN will cover the travel costs and per diem (to cover daily expense in the field). WHO does not offer additional salary or remuneration. WHO will provide appropriate logistics support for the field mission. Pre-deployment orientation / training may be required at WHO.
Partners offers of assistance
Partners are requested to reply with offers of assistance, together with CVs and details of the availability of staff for this mission by email to goarn@who.int
WHO will communicate further information to partners on the evolving situation, and may revert with additional requests for specific support to GOARN as necessary.
Operational Contacts
Dr Anshu Banerjee, WHO Representative Sudan banerjeea@sud.emro.who.int, wrosudan@sud.emro.who.int
Dr Mamunur Malik malikm@who.int
Dr Martin Opoka opokal@who.int
Mr Pat Drury druryp@who.int
GOARN Operational Support Team goarn@who.int
GOARN Operational Support Team
Global Capacities, Alert and Response
World Health Organization
20 Avenue Appia
1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland
E-mail: goarn@who.int