FREETOWN, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Sierra Leone's National Public Health Agency (NPHA) and the Ministry of Health have confirmed an active outbreak of cutaneous ulcers caused by Haemophilus ducreyi in the country's northern region, a health official said Saturday.
The outbreak was first detected on Nov. 17 in the Kayassic Community of Safroko Limba Chiefdom and has since spread to 27 communities in Bombali District of Northern Province, primarily affecting children aged 5-15 years, Foday Sahr, executive director of the NPHA, told Xinhua.
As of Dec. 24, there were 267 suspected cases reported, with 150 individuals having recovered and no fatalities recorded so far, he said.
Sahr said that active follow-up is being conducted for 211 contacts, as males constitute roughly 56 percent of the affected cases. Clinical symptoms include painful skin ulcers on the extremities, regional lymphadenopathy and mild constitutional symptoms, while no severe cases requiring hospitalization have been documented.
Harold Thomas, risk communication lead at the Ministry of Health, said that the NPHA has activated comprehensive response protocols, including enhanced surveillance, community-based case management, and infection prevention and control measures, which encompass training healthcare workers and implementing environmental decontamination.
He urged the public to report any suspicious skin lesions immediately, avoid sharing personal items, and practice stringent hygiene routines to curtail the outbreak's spread.
The agencies assured that the situation is under control and emphasized the importance of community cooperation and timely reporting for effective containment, adding that regular updates will be provided as circumstances evolve. ■
