cholera prevention measures

Cholera Outbreak in South Sudan Escalates, Raising Alarm Among Aid Groups

The cholera outbreak in South Sudan is intensifying at an alarming rate, with fears that it could spread beyond Upper Nile State to neighboring regions, according to Doctors Without Borders (MSF). Over a month after the first suspected case emerged, the humanitarian organization has reported 737 cases in Malakal, the state’s capital, as of December 3, 2024.

Zakaria Mwatia, MSF’s head of mission in South Sudan, described the situation as “critical” and expressed concerns about the outbreak expanding to nearby areas such as Tonga and Kodok. Cholera, an acute diarrheal illness that can kill within hours if untreated, is primarily caused by contaminated food or water due to inadequate sanitation.

Humanitarian Efforts Strained

MSF has established a 100-bed cholera treatment center near Malakal Town Hospital, but the organization highlighted “significant gaps” in water and sanitation infrastructure. “We have been stretched thin in our response as we’ve had to expand our efforts to address critical needs,” Mwatia said in a statement.

The outbreak, initially declared in October in Renk, another town in Upper Nile State, underscores the strain on South Sudan’s fragile healthcare system. Renk serves as a major entry point for refugees and returnees from Sudan, adding to the region’s vulnerabilities. Over the past 18 months, more than 850,000 people have crossed from Sudan into South Sudan, according to MSF.

Broader Implications

The United Nations has taken steps to curb the outbreak, including securing over 280,000 doses of oral cholera vaccine for deployment in high-risk areas. However, the outbreak is exacerbated by South Sudan’s limited access to clean drinking water and poor sanitation infrastructure, conditions that fuel the rapid spread of the disease.

South Sudan, one of the world’s poorest countries, has faced persistent challenges since gaining independence in 2011. The nation’s struggles with violence, endemic poverty, and natural disasters have further complicated efforts to manage public health crises like the current cholera outbreak.

Source : Swifteradio.com