1 December 2011 - UNAMID facilitated today the transportation of a medical team from the World Health Organization (WHO) and State Ministry of Health to El Taweisha locality, North Darfur, where an outbreak of diphtheria has been reported.

The purpose of the team is to reinforce the health personnel on the ground to contain the spread of diphtheria in El Taweisha area. So far, WHO and Ministry of Health officials in the area have confirmed 9 cases of diphtheria and 100 suspected cases that are under investigation. About 12 children are suspected to have died from the disease in the locality. According to WHO the outbreak is affecting children below the ages of 15 years.

Communication and Public Information Division Media Contacts
Kemal Saïki, Director; saiki@un.org; tel.: +249 (0) 92 244 3529; mobile: +249 (0) 92 241 0020

Guiomar Pau Sole, Media Relations, paug@un.org, mobile: +249 (0)90 090 5097