UN reports new Cholera outbreak in Sudan’s Juba

Nov 6, 2006 (JUBA) — A total of 2,00 cases of acute watery diarrhoea, have been admitted Juba hospital since last week, according to an internal UNMIS note warring international staff in the region to take the necessary hygienic measures.

Another Acute Watery Diarrhea Outbreak is believed to be Cholera in the capital of southern Sudan, Juba. It is believed to have started at Munuki but has rapidly spread to almost all corners of Juba, a UN source said.

Cholera outbreak has killed at least 424 people and sickened 14,000 since January in southern Sudan, and officials are concerned the disease could spread to other countries.

Cholera has broken out in most states of Sudan, including North and South Darfur, but the toll does not include West Darfur where agencies have little access due to insecurity.

Southern Sudan’s infrastructure has been battered by 21 years of civil war. Although a peace treaty ended the fighting more than a year ago, little has improved in the region.

The first suspected cases were reported at the end of January in Yei. The disease was then reported in Juba, the capital of southern Sudan, and it has spread quickly. Juba has a population of more than 250,000 people who are known to rely heavily on polluted water from the River Nile.

(ST)