UNHCR responds to disease outbreak at refugee camp in Kenya
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Dadaab Refugee Camp, Kenya
The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) is promoting good public health practices following a deadly outbreak of acute jaundice at the world's largest refugee camp.
Four new mothers at the Daadab refugee complex in northern Kenya have died from the disease, which is largely caused by the hepatitis E virus. More than 200 cases were reported as of last week.
UNHCR spokesperson in Geneva Andrej Mahecić says the agency is focusing on improving sanitation facilities and promoting good hygiene practices at the camp.
"The incubation period for jaundice is one month and we fear that the number of cases many continue to grow. In addition to raising the health, water and sanitation standards and awareness about the importance of hand washing, use of latrines, food and water hygiene, refugee health workers are also being trained in active search for new cases and surveillance." (Duration: 18″)
More than 470,000 refugees live in the five camps that make up the Daadab complex.
