Threat of Hepatitis E Virus Infection in Somalia During Operation Restore Hope
Abstract
In support of Operation Restore Hope, the United States military established a diagnostic laboratory for infectious diseases, the Joint Forward Laboratory, in Mogadishu, Somalia. Because sporadic hepatitis due to unknown causes was a frequent problem, staff members of the Joint For-ward Laboratory evaluated 31 Somalis, five displaced Ethiopians, and three Western relief workers who had acute clinical hepatitis. Patients lived in multiple locations in Somalia-Mogadishu, Baidoa, and Merca - and became ill between December 1992 and February 1993. IgM antibody to hepatitis A virus was found in one English relief worker, and IgM antibody to hepatitis E virus was found in 20 (65 %) of 31 Somalis, two (40 %) of five Ethiopians, and two (67 %) of three Western relief workers. No patient had evidence of acute hepatitis B, malaria, yellow fever, or other arbovirus infections. These data indicate that hepatitis E virus - the major cause of enterically transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis - was a common cause of acute sporadic hepatitis in Somalia during the initial stages of Operation Restore Hope.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 05, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA282277
Entities
People
- Charles Longer
- James P. Burans
- Mark Wallace
- Scott Thornton
- Trueman Sharp
Organizations
- Naval Medical Research Center