South Sudan: Cholera outbreak claims nearly 60 lives, thousands infected
A 36-bed cholera treatment center is now operational in Assosa, less than 6 miles from Malakal Town Hospital. | South Sudan 2024 © MSF
A cholera outbreak in South Sudan has claimed the lives of nearly 60 people and infected over 6,000 since its onset on October 28.
South Sudan’s Minister of Information and Communication, Michael Makuei Lueth announced this on Friday.
Following a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Salva Kiir Mayardit, Lueth revealed that the outbreak has spread across the country, heavily impacting internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Juba, Rubkona County, Aweil, and refugee camps in Renk near the border with Sudan. The outbreak is particularly severe among refugees who fled Sudan’s ongoing crisis.
Efforts to combat the outbreak are underway, including a vaccination campaign launched by the government and UN agencies earlier this week. However, the Minister of Health has called for additional vaccine supplies, citing an urgent need in affected areas.
“Cholera is spreading rapidly, especially among refugees in camps. Vaccines have been sent to Renk, but more are needed for other areas,” Lueth said. He also emphasized preventive measures such as maintaining cleanliness and consuming warm food to curb the disease’s spread.
Overcrowded transit centers and camps, inadequate sanitation, open defecation, and limited access to clean water have fueled the outbreak. Children under five and the elderly are especially vulnerable.
The situation has been compounded by refugees fleeing Sudan, where a separate cholera outbreak has affected over 40,000 people.
Since April, over 880,000 people have crossed into South Sudan, with the UN assisting in providing essential services at transit centers.
