Cholera outbreak spreads to Sudan’s River Nile State
Atbara, January 19, 2024 – The Sudanese Ministry of Health has confirmed the presence of a cholera outbreak in the River Nile State, with 36 suspected cases and two deaths reported.
The outbreak, which initially emerged in Gedaref and Khartoum states in September 2023, has since spread to several other states, including Al-Jazirah, White Nile, Red Sea, and Kassala. The United Nations has warned that the disease could affect over three million Sudanese.
Federal Minister of Health Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim met with health officials in the River Nile State on Friday and confirmed that cases had been detected in three localities, with the majority in Al-Damer locality in the Sidon region.
Minister Ibrahim directed the activation of therapeutic protocols in cholera treatment centres and acknowledged the health risks posed by mining activities and the large influx of displaced people and migrants in the state. He emphasized the need for preparedness and increased health interventions and called for regular environmental sanitation campaigns across all localities.
The Minister reassured the stability of the state’s pharmaceutical supply of intravenous solutions and medications and reiterated his commitment to providing support to healthcare systems to combat the epidemic and safeguard public health across Sudan.
Minister Ibrahim stressed the importance of concerted efforts to implement and support health activities, intensify awareness and education about epidemic diseases, and recognize the crucial role of environmental health management in mitigating the spread of cholera. He emphasized the need for individuals to follow preventive measures, such as covering eating utensils, washing hands thoroughly, reporting suspected cases, and avoiding the consumption of untreated water.
In December 2023, the Sudanese Ministry of Health launched a second vaccination campaign against cholera in Khartoum State, targeting the localities of Karari, Umm Badda, and East Nile. The first campaign, conducted in November 2023, covered Gedaref and Gezira states, with approximately 2.2 million doses of vaccines provided by the Global Mechanism for the Elimination of Cholera.