Analysis of Sudan Mpox surveillance data during the recent pandemic, 2022

Abstract

Abstract Background Mpox is a zoonosis that is known to be endemic in several Central and West African countries. Recently, in 2022, it has emerged in Europe and the United States, which raises the alarm to be declared in June as a public health event of international concern. This study aimed to analyze Mpox surveillance data at the national level. Methods Mpox data was extracted from the disease surveillance line-list at the national level. The data was customized and then analyzed using Epi Info7 software. The analysis was done using frequencies and percentages, and the results were presented in tables and charts. Permission and ethical approval were obtained from the Health Emergency and Epidemic Control Directorate at the Federal Ministry of Health. Results From the national line-list 375 records were extracted and analyzed. Males comprised 54.4% of cases. The mean age was 12.90 (SD 14.69), with 50.2% of the cases were children under 15 years old. All cases had a skin rash, and 74.1% reported a fever. Around a third of the cases reported headaches, sore throats, and lymphadenopathy. The majority of the confirmed cases were children under 5 years old. Around half of the cases were either preschool or school children. The states reported 11 cases, with the majority of cases reported from Gadaref, West Darfur, and Khartoum. A history of contact was identified in 5.8% of cases. Specimens were collected for 212 cases, with the disease confirmed in only 18 (4.8%) through RT-PCR. The number of reported cases increased gradually to reach its peak in week 38, with 100 cases reported, and then began to decrease to reach zero cases in late October. Conclusion Mpox surveillance is functioning, with suspect cases reported on a daily basis. The infection is more common in males and children. The commonest presentations were rash and fever with a sore throat, and lymphadenopathy was recognized in one-third of cases. The case definition adopted is broad and sensitive to what influenced the specimen’s positivity rate. Carful data collection and complete filling out of the case report form are recommended to have more comprehensive data for analysis.