Disease outbreak infects thousands in Khartoum Bahri

September 16, 2025 (KHARTOUM) – A widespread outbreak of fever is sweeping through Khartoum Bahri, the third city in Khartoum state, overwhelming a healthcare system crippled by recent conflict and a severe lack of medical supplies.

A local emergency response group said on Tuesday it had recorded 4,875 cases of epidemic diseases, including dengue fever, malaria, and typhoid, in August alone. Authorities are struggling to restore medical services after most health facilities were destroyed before the army recaptured the state from the Rapid Support Forces in March.

The Bahri Emergency Room reported 2,137 malaria cases, 1,296 dengue fever cases, 1,177 typhoid cases, and 256 cases of watery diarrhoea last month.

“Cases are expected to increase over the next 6 to 8 weeks in the absence of rapid interventions,” a member of the emergency group told Sudan Tribune, citing the need for indoor spraying and treated mosquito nets. The group identified the Kober and Al-Shaabiya neighbourhoods as epicentres for dengue due to stagnant water and waste.

Residents in Khartoum Bahri described a dire situation, with a constant rise in dengue cases and health centers lacking basic medicines, intravenous (IV) fluids, and sufficient medical staff.

A volunteer in the Al-Droushab area, north of the city, reported 320 dengue cases and five deaths in the last three days, along with 257 new malaria infections. He cited a critical shortage of IV fluids and a lack of testing labs as major challenges.

In response, Sudan’s Ministry of Health launched a three-month campaign on Monday to combat disease vectors in 70 locations across Khartoum Bahri before expanding to other parts of the capital.