Sudan: Cholera cases approach a thousand

October 8, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – A Sudanese health official revealed on Sunday that cholera cases are increasing in the capital, Khartoum, and Gedaref State in eastern Sudan.

The World Health Organization says that 70% of healthcare facilities in Sudan are out of service due to the war, and the rest suffer from a severe supply shortage. This raises fears that many people will die from the growing spread of infectious diseases.

Montaser Mohamed Osman, Director of the Emergency Department at the Ministry of Health, told Sudan Tribune that there have been 408 cholera cases in Gedaref State, including 23 deaths. He also said there have been 539 suspected cholera cases in Khartoum, including 35 deaths.

In addition, the General Department of Health Emergencies and Epidemic Control at the Ministry of Health in Gezira State announced four confirmed cases of dengue fever on October 7th in its daily report. The cumulative dengue fever report from September 19 to October 7 confirmed that there were 109 suspected cases of dengue, of which 91 cases were confirmed by rapid examination, including three deaths.

The Director General of the Ministry of Health in Gezira State called on citizens to drain, dry, and wash water storage tanks, utensils, and flowers every three days and expose them to the sun to prevent the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes, which cause dengue fever, inside homes.

The United Nations says that heavy rains and floods have affected 70,000 people in 7 states in Sudan, increasing the risk of the outbreak of more water-borne diseases. The United Nations has also confirmed the spread of a cholera epidemic in Gedaref State.

(ST)