Cholera Outbreak in Sudan: 70 Fatalities and Over 2,200 Infections Reported

In southern Sudan, cholera has claimed the lives of at least 70 people and infected over 2,200 individuals in one week, primarily in Kosti. The outbreak follows a drone strike that disrupted water access, with the country’s healthcare system severely affected by ongoing civil conflict. Save the Children and UNICEF have highlighted the urgent need for clean water and sanitation to prevent further cases.

In southern Sudan, at least 70 individuals have succumbed to cholera and over 2,200 have contracted the disease within the past week, as reported by Save the Children, referencing data from the health ministry. This outbreak has primarily affected Kosti, the capital of White Nile state, and follows a recent drone strike on the Um Dabakar power station, which disrupted access to clean water.

Sudan’s healthcare system has suffered greatly amid a protracted civil war, which is nearing its second year, leading to countless fatalities and displacing more than 12 million people. According to Save the Children, over 2,200 people, including numerous children, are currently facing this severe cholera crisis in Kosti. The army-aligned health ministry has documented on average about 400 new cholera cases daily, with 70 deaths reported between February 20 and 26.

Since the onset of the outbreak in August of the previous year, Sudan has recorded more than 55,000 cholera cases alongside over 1,400 deaths. The United Nations’ children agency, UNICEF, also reported that approximately 2,700 cholera cases have been identified in White Nile from January 1 to February 25, with more than 500 of these cases concerning children.

Sheldon Yett, UNICEF’s representative to Sudan, emphasized that “the continued destruction of critical humanitarian infrastructure has left no child safe in this war.” He warned that without access to clean water, sanitation, hygiene services, and preventative information, the cholera outbreak is likely to persist.

The ongoing conflict in Sudan, which began in April 2023, has severely damaged the nation’s civilian infrastructure and medical facilities. Currently, it is estimated that 80 percent of hospitals are non-operational, and those that remain open are critically low on medical supplies, further complicating efforts to address the cholera situation.

The cholera outbreak in southern Sudan has emerged as a critical public health crisis, exacerbated by the ongoing civil war that has devastated the healthcare system. With over 2,200 individuals infected and 70 reported fatalities within a week, urgent interventions are required to restore access to clean water and healthcare services. If preventive measures are not implemented, the situation is expected to worsen, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children.

Original Source: www.newarab.com