Dr Kalumbi Shangula, The Minister of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), declared the end of the CCHF outbreak on 19 June 2023. The CCHF outbreak was reported in Gobabis District, Omaheke Region.  MoHSS notified WHO about the confirmed CCHF outbreak in Gobabis district on 21 May 2023. The confirmed case died on 18 May 2023. The outbreak was declared on 22 May 2023. Only one confirmed case was reported during the CCHF outbreak. According to the National IDSR technical guidelines, a single confirmed case of CCHF constitutes an outbreak. Contact tracing and monitoring was conducted. None of the contacts contracted the infection.

During the Outbreak, the National Health Emergency Management Committee of which WHO is an active member, held several meetings to deliberate on intervention measures to contain the outbreak and prevent further transmission of the infection. WHO has provided guidance to MoHSS regarding the health response interventions for CCHF. The rollout implementation of the IDSR 3rd edition will help to enhance an index of suspicion among health workers for priority conditions, and other diseases of public health interest, resulting in early detection, reporting and timely response to public health events in the country.

The Minister of health expressed gratitude to CCHF Outbreak Response Teams, community members in Omaheke and Khomas regions, and partners-in-health for their concerted support to Namibia’s response to the outbreak.