20120916
AP
YIDA, South Sudan (AP) — South Sudan says 16 people have been killed by an outbreak of Hepatitis E in three refugee camps near the border with Sudan.

According to a statement released Thursday by South Sudan's Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization and the U.N. refugee agency, the outbreak was first detected late July in Jamam refugee camp, in Upper Nile State's Maban County.

The statement says the disease has spread to Yusuf Batil and Gendrassa refugee camps in Maban county and more than 380 confirmed and suspected cases have been reported.

Hepatitis E is a liver disease which is mainly transmitted by drinking water contaminated by feces.

The three camps house refugees from Sudan's Blue Nile state who fled recent fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the rebel group SPLM-North.