The Health Ministry of Sudan reports a cholera outbreak in southern Sudan with 1,351 cases and 58 deaths. The spread is particularly acute in Kosti city, caused by contaminated drinking water after a water station shutdown. Responses include the reactivation of water supply, vaccination campaigns, and enhancing healthcare resources.
The Sudanese Health Ministry has reported a significant cholera outbreak in southern Sudan, with a total of 1,351 confirmed cases and 58 fatalities. The rapid spread is particularly evident in Kosti city, located in White Nile State. This alarming situation has emerged over the span of just three days, highlighting the urgent public health crisis in the region. Reports indicate that the outbreak’s primary cause is the contamination of drinking water. This contamination has resulted from the shutdown of the main water station in Kosti, which was a consequence of damage inflicted by the Rapid Support Forces militia targeting an electrical station in the area.
In response to this health emergency, the government of Sudan has initiated urgent measures that have been crucial in controlling the outbreak. Key interventions have included the reactivation of the main water station in Kosti, the launch of a vaccination campaign, and efforts to ensure the availability of intravenous fluids. Furthermore, authorities have increased bed capacity at the local isolation center to accommodate the rising number of cases. These collective efforts appear to be positively impacting the rate of infection.
Recent reports from the Sudan Doctors Network indicate an additional 1,197 cholera cases and 83 new deaths in White Nile State within just two days. The total number of cholera cases reported in Sudan since August now stands at 53,735, accompanied by 1,430 deaths. This ongoing health crisis is exacerbated by the ongoing civil conflict in Sudan, which began in April 2023, significantly affecting public health services and displacing a large segment of the population.
In summary, the cholera outbreak in southern Sudan poses a severe public health risk, with over 1,300 cases and multiple fatalities reported in a short time frame. The situation is aggravated by an ongoing civil conflict that hampers effective response efforts. Swift governmental action has begun to mitigate further spread, demonstrating the critical nature of urgent public health interventions in crisis situations.
Original Source: news.az
