South Sudan sets up measures to curb cholera outbreak
October 24, 2023 (JUBA)- South Sudan has put up health measures to control the spread of cholera, a disease that has claimed several lives in neighbouring Sudan.
South Sudan’s vice president and chairman of the service clusters, Hussen Abdelbagi said government has taken measures in collaboration and coordination with health partners to curb cholera spread in states close to Sudan.
At least 1,457 suspected cholera cases and 64 associated deaths have been reported from four states of Sudan as of 17 October, health authorities disclosed.
Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with Vibrio cholerae bacteria. People can get sick when they swallow food or water contaminated with cholera bacteria. The infection is often mild or without symptoms, but can sometimes be severe and life-threatening.
“You know our borders with Sudan are porous and this has been complicated by the prevailing situation of war in Sudan which has forced people to be moving from place to place in search of security and safe places. This now makes it more challenging because people with the disease may be among people crossing into our states, especially states bordering Sudan,” Abdelbagi said on Sunday.
He added, “We have directed the Ministry of Health to work closely and coordinate with health partners on how to control the spread of this disease”.
The vice president also expressed concerns that the spread of cholera to South Sudan will exacerbate the humanitarian situation that the government has been struggling to address since the eruption of the conflict in Sudan had forced people to flee from their homes in Sudan to neigbouring countries in the region.
South Sudan, Egypt and Chad are countries that received a huge influx of refugees.
Abdelbagi, however, said that South Sudan was experiencing a double influx.
The official further explained that South Sudanese nationals returning home after secession are no different from refugees because they do not have anything in South Sudan to which they are returning and facing many challenges to adjust.
However, with a budget tied to oil production, the South Sudanese government fears a sustained conflict in Sudan could have a major impact on its economic situation and undermine provisions of essential services like health and security.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and medical charities operating in Sudan say the lives of people with renal diseases are at great risk due to the limited number of centers where dialysis could be performed because of the ongoing security.
(ST)