A. Situation analysis
Description of the disaster
On 30th August 2016, Tahoua region alerted the National level of cases of fever with jaundice and bleeding complications in humans, leading to death in most cases at community level. Most cases were reported/recorded in the Health District of Tchintabaraden. On the side of livestock, it was found during the same period of abortions in small ruminants and mortality in young calves.
Tahoua region is located in the Southwest part of Niger and covers an area of 113,371 km² with an estimated population of 2,741,922 people. The Health District Tchintabaraden is one of eight districts of the Tahoua region, which covers an area of about 54,000 km2 with an estimated population of 250,726 people. The main livelihood activity of the communities in the affected area is agriculture.
The results from “Institut Pasteur de Dakar” on 16th September confirmed the Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in Tchintabaraden zone. From week 31 (August 02) to week No. 37 (September 18), a total of 52 cases including 21 deaths (case fatality rate 40.3%) were reported in the Tchintabaraden district. The outbreak has since spread to 2 more districts (Tassara and Abalak) as of 21 September, the total number of cases recorded is 60 with 23 deaths. The statistics mention that 87% of the affected population are above the age of 15 years with 63% of them being males while 95% are pastoralists.
As of 28 September, 78 cases have been recorded with 26 deaths.
In terms of livestock, it was found animals with hyperthermia, breathing difficulties, hyper salivation (animal drooling), bleeding in the various parts, abortions in small ruminants, mortalities among young calves. Note that the milk of some animals aborted was streaked with blood. Interviews with the community has identified 363 cases of animal abortions and 370 deaths of young animals (Source: Ministry of Public Health, WHO).
Following this confirmation, the Government declared Rift Valley Fever outbreak on 20 September 2016, appealing for international support. The Government also took preventive and curative measures such as providing treatment to the affected cases, reinforcing the social mobilization (information and communication in the communities and via media), and increasing epidemic surveillance. The Ministry of Livestock is in charge of caring of animals and properly burying the corpse of dead animal.
Summary of the current response
Overview of non-RCRC actors in country
The Ministry of Public Health has set up a crisis committee that holds regular meetings to coordinate and evaluate the daily situation. The National Task Force was created in Niamey, jointly led by the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Livestock.
The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) is working in collaboration with the community, the technical and financial partners to respond to the epidemics. Different field missions to investigate and assess the situation have been conducted by the Ministry of Public Health and WHO in Tahoua. On 20th September 2016, a press conference hosted by the MoPH on the epidemiological situation was held in Niamey. On the field, an NGO called BEFEN-ALIMA is supporting in treatment and community awareness. The Ministry of Health is elaborating the Response Plan of Action and the Communication Plan which will soon be shared with humanitarian actors for their contribution.