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Niger officially declared a Hepatitis E epidemic in the Diffa region in Niger. On 19 April, a total of 86 symptomatic cases of Hepatitis E, including 25 deaths, have been reported in the region. The first sample tests conducted in Dakar, Senegal, confirm the presence of Hepatitis E virus which is a liver disease transmitted through contaminated water.
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Diffa Region is affected by the Lake Chad crisis and access to WASH and Health services has been severely limited as a consequence. As of 31 March, more than 242 000 people were displaced in the region according to regional authorities.
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Pregnant women and children are the most affected groups among the refugee and IDP populations in particular.
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The majority of the cases were registered in the health area of Toumour (Bosso department), but other health centers have also reported cases (Diffa, Kindjandi, Assaga, Maine Soroa and N’guigmi).
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The Ministry of Health is planning a multisectoral investigation visit to the affected areas with humanitarian agencies.