RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Sudan is subject to repeated outbreaks, including Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF), which is considered to be a very serious illness. Yellow Fever (YF) outbreaks in Sudan have been reported from the 1940s through 2005. In 2012, a new outbreak of YF occurred in the Darfur region. OBJECTIVE: To identify the potential for an outbreak, to diagnose the disease and to be able to recognize its cause among the initial reported cases. METHODOLOGY: >This is a descriptive and investigative field study that applies standard communicable disease outbreak investigation steps. The study involved clinical, serological, entomological and environmental surveys. RESULTS: The field investigation confirmed the outbreak and identified its cause to be YF. CONCLUSION: National surveillance systems should be strong enough to detect VHFs in a timely manner. Local health facilities should be prepared to promptly treat the initial cases because the case fatality ratios (CFRs) are usually very high among the index cases.
