Cholera in South Sudan: Understanding the Outbreak and Future Prevention Strategies

Cholera is endemic in South Sudan with a significant outbreak ongoing since October 2024, exceeding 22,000 cases. Key drivers include flooding, political instability, and poor WASH conditions. Despite some stabilization, cases continue to rise in remote areas. To address this, quick response measures and long-term infrastructure investments are essential.

Cholera remains endemic in South Sudan, with frequent outbreaks attributed to various risk factors such as recurrent flooding, political instability, and limited healthcare access. The latest outbreak was declared on October 28, 2024, and has already exceeded 22,000 reported cases. Notably, the outbreak deviates from the norm, occurring at the end of the rainy season, and involves a different serotype of V. cholerae compared to previous occurrences.

To effectively combat the current cholera outbreak in South Sudan, it is imperative to enhance response strategies, including the distribution of Oral Cholera Vaccines (OCV) in newly affected regions. Furthermore, long-term prevention requires substantial investments in water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure, alongside a proactive approach to mitigate future outbreaks, especially considering the ongoing risks posed by regional instability and environmental conditions.

Original Source: reliefweb.int