5,178 suspected Cholera cases, 161 deaths reported in Sudan
December 4, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – At least 5,178 suspected cases of cholera, including 161 associated deaths were reported from 46 localities of nine states as of December 2, figures from Sudan’s Health ministry and the World Health Organization (WHO) show.
War-torn Sudan first declared an outbreak of Cholera in Gedaref on September 26. The disease had now spread to 46 localities in Aj Jazirah, Blue Nile, Gedaref, Kassala, Khartoum, Red Sea, Sennar, South Kordofan and White Nile states as of November 28.
“To date, there are 1,808 suspected cases of cholera and 48 associated deaths in Gedaref; 1,345 suspected cases and 23 associated deaths in Aj Jazirah; 684 suspected cases and 28 associated deaths in Red Sea; 463 suspected cases and 26 associated deaths in Khartoum; 346 suspected cases and eight associated deaths in South Kordofan; 399 suspected cases and 22 associated deaths in White Nile; 69 suspected cases and three associated deaths in Sennar; 63 suspected cases and three associated deaths in Kassala; and one suspected case in Blue Nile,” latest WHO figures indicate.
However, following the declaration of a cholera outbreak, WHO, the UN Children’s Agency (UNICEF) and partners activated an inter-agency multi-cluster Cholera Action Plan and established national and state public health emergency operation centres.
The outbreak response, in collaboration with the Health ministry, is organized by pillars of coordination, disease surveillance, laboratory, case management, water, sanitation and hygiene supplies, risk communication and community engagement, among others.
Surveillance is ongoing in affected and high-risk areas to identify and address risk factors.
According to health authorities, oral cholera vaccination campaigns have been organised in Gedaref and Aj Jazirah states reaching 98 per cent of the targeted 2.2 million people.
Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with Vibrio cholerae bacteria. The infection is often mild or without symptoms, but can sometimes be severe and life-threatening.
(ST)