From 1 January to 11 March 2007, the Ministry of Health of the Government of Southern Sudan (MoH) reported 6 946 suspected cases of meningococcal disease including 430 deaths (case-fatality rate, 6.19%) in 9 out of 10 states of Southern Sudan.
Due to delayed and irregular reporting these, figures should be considered provisional. Currently the most affected counties are Aweil West, Juba, Mundri East, Rumbek, Tonj South, Wulu and Yirol.
In a one week period from 4 to 11 March, a total of 1 541 suspected cases including 81 deaths were reported. The Ministry of Health of the Government of Southern Sudan, WHO and its partners have carried out a mass vaccination campaign in 4 counties; Aweil town (MoH), Kajo-Keiji (M?decins sans Fronti?res (MSF) – Switzerland), Tonj-East (MSF- Switzerland) and Yambio (International Medical Corp) . Mass vaccination campaigns are ongoing in Aweil West (MSF-France) and scheduled to start in Bor, Juba, Nimule, and Rumbek in mid-March.
A technical team from WHO Headquarters and the Regional Office is currently in South Sudan to strengthen WHO?s technical support to the Ministry of Health of the Government of Southern Sudan including surveillance, field investigation, mass vaccination, case management, logistics and coordination.