Disease Outbreak News

1999 - Namibia

11 May 1999

Description of the situation

11 May 1999

Disease Outbreak Reported

The Ministry of Health and Social Services has reported plague cases in Ohangwena Region in the north western part of the country. The first suspected case was reported on 6 April and 39 cases have occurred up to 5 May, 6 of which have been laboratory confirmed. Eight patients have died of suspected plague.

The North West regional directorate team, which has had experience in dealing with plague, has undertaken control activities, including training courses for health workers, community mobilization for preventive measures, additional nurses placed at local hospitals and dusting of homesteads.

The Ministry of Health report also states that, although plague has been endemic in this part of the country, it was successfully controlled in recent years, the last known cases having occurred in January 1994.