Via HealthMap's The Disease Daily: Hepatitis E Outbreak in Sudanese Refugee Camps Leaves 16 Dead. Excerpt:
Refugees in South Sudan, having fled the ongoing civil war in Sudan, are faced with harsh living conditions and limited access to sanitary facilities, potable water, and medical care. There are 169,463 Sudanese refugees in South Sudan, with 104,960 in upper Nile State and 64,503 in Unity State.
Although diarrheal disease is the leading cause of death due to deplorable living conditions in these camps, refugees in some camps are faced with a new burden. Recently, an outbreak of hepatitis E has infected close to 400 and left 16 dead in three separate refugee camps.
Hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver, is commonly caused by viral infection. According to the WHO, hepatitis E is included amongst the most concerning iterations of the disease (types A, B, C, D and E) because its epidemic potential. Unsanitary living conditions have allowed hepatitis E to flourish.
As stated by the WHO, "hepatitis A and E are typically caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water," so the fecal-oral route is likely the primary route of transmission in these refugee camps.
