South Sudan declares cholera outbreak in Upper Nile State
October 28, 2024 (JUBA) – The Ministry of Health in South Sudan has declared a cholera outbreak in Renk County of Upper Nile State after six confirmed and 44 suspected cases.
Speaking at a press conference in Juba, Health Minister Yolanda Awel Deng assured citizens that the government is committed to stopping the spread of cholera in Renk, Upper Nile State.
“The Ministry of Health is aware of the difficult conditions refugees and returnees face, such as overcrowding and poor water and sanitation, which can lead to outbreaks; however, the Ministry is working with health and water sanitation and hygiene cluster partners on the ground to ensure that the risk of the outbreak spreading is minimized,” she explained.
The minister said the Ministry of Health and World Health Organization (WHO) have taken steps to proper management of cases reported, ensuring every-contact on the ground is followed.
She, however urged the communities to practice good and safe behaviors, such as consistent hand washing, use of latrines, and proper food handling throughout the outbreak season.
The minister reassured the public not to panic but to stay calm and follow safety measures.
Addressing the same press conference, Dr Humphrey Karamagi, WHO Country Representative in South Sudan, commended the Ministry of Health for declaring the outbreak of the disease.
“The announcement enables the public to take prevention measures, helps health partners take the necessary steps to contain the outbreak, and unlocks the required resources for fighting the outbreak,” he said.
Dr Karamagi further affirmed that WHO had prepositioned medical supplies necessary for cholera management in Renk and Malakal and reiterated the organization’s commitment to assisting the South Sudanese government and partners in controlling the spread of cholera.
He said WHO is committed to supporting the Ministry of Health in enhancing disease surveillance, improving response coordination and ensuring the availability of medical supplies.
This, according to the WHO Country Representative, includes assistance with case management, laboratory testing, sample collection, transportation, and follow-up.
“Thanks to funding from the European Union Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) allowed WHO to deploy experts and provide technical and logistical support,” stressed Dr Karamagi.
With the support of WHO, the Health Ministry has reportedly reactivated a national, state, and county cholera taskforce to coordinate all response interventions, heighten surveillance, and partner coordination. This is in addition to supporting the County Health Department and State Ministry of Health response team in case of any potential outbreak and is actively engaged in social mobilization.
(ST)