South Sudan Strengthens Response to Cholera Outbreak in Renk County

South Sudan is combating a cholera outbreak in Renk County, where 50 suspected cases and six confirmed cases have been identified, primarily among refugees. Health authorities have mobilized a response taskforce, enhanced surveillance, and trained health workers to contain the outbreak. The WHO is supporting the establishment of treatment units and has delivered emergency health supplies. Flooding in the region exacerbates the vulnerable population’s risk of infectious diseases.

South Sudan’s health authorities have declared a cholera outbreak in Renk County, situated on the northern frontier with Sudan and serving as a critical entry point for refugees escaping the ongoing hostilities in their homeland. As of October 28, 2024, the country reported 50 suspected cholera cases, with six confirmed among refugees, returnees, and local inhabitants. In proactive response to this health crisis, the cholera taskforce at the county level has been mobilized to coordinate mitigation efforts, and the national incident management system has been engaged. To strengthen disease surveillance, health officials are disseminating guidance to local health facilities on the definition of cholera cases and are mobilizing community health workers for active case discovery and contact tracing initiatives. Training has been provided to 30 health professionals focused on recognizing, reporting, and testing for suspected cholera cases and proper specimen collection methods. Yolanda Awel Deng, the Minister of Health in South Sudan, acknowledged the challenging conditions faced by refugees and returnees, including overcrowding and inadequate access to clean water and sanitation facilities, which heighten the risk of outbreaks. The Ministry is collaborating with various health, nutrition, and water sanitation and hygiene partners in the field to mitigate the outbreak’s spread. The nation is currently grappling with extensive flooding that has displaced approximately 46,500 individuals in Upper Nile State, impacting over 81,300 citizens and increasing their susceptibility to infections like cholera. The World Health Organization (WHO) has joined forces with local health authorities, contributing to the establishment of two cholera treatment units—one at Renk Civil Hospital with a 10-bed capacity and another at Wunthou point of entry with four beds. The recovery rate for patients is currently at 80%, indicating positive progress for those receiving medical attention. Moreover, WHO has dispatched two rapid response teams comprising experts in epidemiology, water sanitation and hygiene, infection control, risk communication, community engagement, and laboratory services. On October 25, the WHO provided 12 metric tons of health emergency kits to Renk, sufficient to cater for approximately 74,000 individuals. This shipment included specialized cholera kits designed to handle 560 severe and 2,340 mild to moderate cases, as well as investigation kits, cholera beds, necessary logistics modules, and various tents for healthcare support.

Cholera is a highly infectious waterborne disease that can lead to rapid dehydration and death if left untreated. It emerges in areas lacking proper sanitation and access to clean drinking water. South Sudan is currently facing significant humanitarian challenges, including armed conflict, massive displacement, and adverse weather conditions such as flooding, which exacerbate the vulnerability of the population. The ongoing situation in Upper Nile State, where Renk County is located, further complicates the health landscape, particularly in the context of refugee influx and overcrowded conditions that facilitate the spread of infectious diseases like cholera.

In conclusion, South Sudan’s health authorities are mobilizing substantial resources and responding decisively to the cholera outbreak in Renk County amid dire humanitarian conditions. The collaboration with the WHO underscores the commitment to enhance disease surveillance, treatment availability, and overall public health resilience. The Ministry of Health’s proactive measures, including community engagement, training, and logistical support, reflect an understanding of the multifaceted challenges at hand and aim to mitigate the outbreak’s impact on the affected populations.

Original Source: www.afro.who.int