Hepatitis E in South Sudan: Wau

The World Health Organization has reported an outbreak of hepatitis E (HEV) in the city of Waity, South Sudan. Between 23 March 2023 and 13 April 2023 there were 91 HEV suspected cases, including 5 deaths.

Advice to travellers

Hepatitis E is a common cause of acute viral hepatitis.

Travellers at highest risk of infection are those:

• travelling to regions with poor sanitation and hygiene (in particular aid workers and disaster relief volunteers)
• planning to consume local dishes of raw/undercooked pork products or shellfish during travel

All travellers should be given advice on:

• maintaining safe food and water precautions
• effective hand hygiene
• avoid eating raw/undercooked pork/game products and shellfish

In particular, advice must be emphasised to pregnant and immunosuppressed travellers, including those with solid-organ transplants.

There is no vaccine available for use in the UK.

For further information, see the TRAVAX Hepatitis E page.