Namibia: Hepatitis E outbreak continues in Windhoek /update 2

Event

Hundreds of cases of hepatitis E, including ten deaths, were reported between mid-December 2017 and March 23 in the capital Windhoek. The worst-hit areas have been the Havana (524 cases) and Goreangab (242) areas.

Context

Hepatitis E is transmitted via contaminated food and water. Although the infection generally goes away on its own within two to six weeks, it can worsen and develop into fulminant hepatitis (especially among pregnant women), which can be fatal. Symptoms of the disease include fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, itching, rash, or joint pain. In some cases, jaundice or hypertrophy of the liver may occur.

Advice

Individuals in Windhoek, and elsewhere in Namibia, are advised to drink only bottled or purified water and to avoid foods that cannot be thoroughly cooked, peeled, or disinfected.