The World Health Organization says 51 suspected cases of hemorrhagic fever syndrome, including 10 deaths, have been reported in Aweil North and West Counties.

It says the National International Health Regulations Focal of South Sudan notified it of the outbreak between late December 2015 and early May 2016.

The WHO says majority of the suspected cases are below 20 years of age and the last recorded death dates back to 28th February.

Hemorrhagic fever syndrome has symptoms of unexplained bleeding, fever, fatigue, headache and vomiting.

“The laboratory results received so far do not explain the symptomatology (unexplained bleeding) of the reported cases nor the high mortality rate,” says a World Health Organization report.

The UN health agency says the symptoms do not seem to be severe and can be rapidly resolved following supportive treatment.

“Since the underlying cause of this public health event remains unknown, close monitoring and further epidemiological investigation is needed,” stated the report.

It says currently, there is no evidence of person-to-person transmission of the disease.

In a report, it says samples of 33 patients were shipped to its collaborating centers in Uganda, Senegal and South Africa for tests.

A further an ongoing laboratory testing may confirm the causative agent.

The WHO says it has supported national authorities to conduct a number of public health activities, including investigating and managing all newly reported suspected cases.

The area where the outbreak is occurring borders Darfur in Sudan where at least 469 cases of undiagnosed viral hemorrhagic fever, including 120 deaths, were reported between August and November 2015.

WHO says it does not recommend any restriction of travel and trade to South Sudan based on the information available.