A cholera outbreak in southern Sudan has led to 1,351 cases and 58 deaths, primarily due to contaminated drinking water resulting from infrastructure damage. The government has responded with measures to improve water access and vaccination efforts, although the situation is compounded by ongoing civil conflict in the region.
The Sudanese Health Ministry has reported a severe cholera outbreak in southern Sudan, with 1,351 confirmed cases and 58 fatalities. This alarming situation is concentrated in Kosti city, located in White Nile State, where the outbreak’s rapid increase has prompted officials to take immediate action. Contaminated drinking water is identified as the primary cause, following the shutdown of the main water station due to attacks by the Rapid Support Forces militia on the Um Dabakir electricity station.
To address the crisis, the Sudanese government has implemented urgent responses that have effectively slowed the rising number of cases. Key measures include reactivating the main water station in Kosti, launching a vaccination campaign against cholera, ensuring the provision of IV fluids for the affected, and enhancing bed capacity in isolation centers.
Recent reports from the Sudan Doctors Network indicate that in just two days, White Nile State recorded 1,197 cholera cases with 83 associated deaths. Focusing on the broader picture, Sudan’s Health Ministry has documented a total of 53,735 cholera cases and 1,430 fatalities since the beginning of the outbreak in August 2023. This public health crisis is exacerbated by the ongoing civil conflict in Sudan, which commenced in April 2023, causing widespread suffering and dislocation among the population.
The cholera outbreak in southern Sudan presents a critical challenge, claiming dozens of lives and affecting thousands. Immediate action by the government has mitigated the situation’s escalation, but ongoing conflict and infrastructural issues continue to hinder recovery efforts. Ensuring safe drinking water and vaccination access remains vital in controlling the outbreak’s spread.
Original Source: news.az
