127 dead in south Sudan cholera outbreak

Mar 5, 2006 (CAIRO) — The death toll from a suspected outbreak of cholera in southern Sudan has risen to 127, the World Heath Organisation said.

Sudanese health authorities, “in collaboration with WHO and other partners, reported a total number of 5,634 cases and 127 deaths from acute watery diarrhea in southern Sudan,” the WHO said in a statement.

Cholera was confirmed in a number of the cases.

The town of Yei, which borders Uganda, and South Sudan’s main city Juba have been hit hardest by the epidemic, which has been spreading to surrounding areas, the WHO said.

“Reports of acute watery diarrhea have been received from areas surrounding Juba, namely Jebel Lado, Kajo-Keji, Lekongole, Pibor, BorTerekeka, Mongella, Torit, Lafon, Lui, Jebelein and Rokon,” it added.

Stool specimens collected from Kajo-Keji, Terekeka, Bor and Pibor all confirmed a cholera outbreak.

“Laboratory tests are continuing for other locations,” the WHO said.

Health officials have warned of catastrophe if cholera spreads in Juba, a city of about 250,000 people that relies almost entirely on untreated water from the heavily-polluted Nile.

South Sudan, whose infrastructure was largely destroyed by a 21-year civil war, has suffered deadly outbreaks of meningitis and yellow fever in recent months.

Cholera is a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease that thrives in places with poor hygiene and inadequate water supplies. It is generally caused by using dirty water for drinking and cooking.

It leads to severe diarrhea, dehydration and sometimes death.

(ST/AFP)