WHO Health Situation Report West Timor 01 Dec 1999

1- Surveillance
Disease surveillance reporting through calendar week 43 has been forwarded by the Provincial Health Office. Data exist for weekly aggregate disease cases in the Belu District (see attached). Number of reporting locations and number of patient visits underlying these cases remain unknown. Disease-specific data of age/sex incidence have been forwarded only for malaria and pneumonia in Belu District and for upper respiratory tract infections in Kupang (data not attached).

1.1- Mortality

No deaths were reported in most recent week of data (week 43). Six deaths occurred in each of two previous weeks, one from clinical malaria, five listed as Aother@. Age and sex of the deceased remain unspecified.

1.2- Morbidity

Proportional frequency of disease in most recent week of data for Belu District:

• respiratory tract infection non-pneumonia (60%)
• simple diarrhea (21%)
• clinical malaria (19%)

There were no reports of epidemics, and no cases reported in the past week of diseases with epidemic potential (dysentery, measles, dengue, and typhus).

3- Service Coverage Areas

WHO is in the process of mapping service areas of humanitarian assistance. This effort will be augmented by a UNHCR team of experts in geographic information systems due to arrive this week.

Disease Specific Issues

1- Measles

The measles immunization campaign has commenced in refugee camps of Kupang district. The objective is to vaccinate children in the age group 9 months-14 years, and to give vitamin A concurrently. The first week of activity will serve the camps of Tuapukan, Noelbaki and Naibonat. Over 6,000 children are expected to be vaccinated. This campaign represents a cooperative effort between the Department of Health., UNICEF, WHO, and NGOs. WHO has donated syringes to five districts. The British Embassy has agreed to fund operational costs of the campaign in Belu.

2- Nutrition

Health workers in the field have reported anecdotal concerns for protein-calorie malnutrition in children under 5. The Provincial governor has expressed concerns about micronutrient deficiencies in iodine. Further investigation is underway.

MORBIDITY/MORTALITY REPORT FOR WEST TIMOR

Belu district

Data from unknown number of locations. Week 37 to 43. Data reporting follows information categories available from Provincial Health Office. Case definitions not available. Crude figures, population of the reporting locations not available.

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