Sudan’s cholera outbreak surpasses 9,000 cases

September 16, 2024 (KASSALA) – Sudan’s cholera cases have exceeded 9,000 with 315 deaths across eight states, the health ministry said on Monday, as it launched a vaccination campaign in the eastern localities of Wad El Hilu and Kassala.

The outbreak began on August 12 amidst heavy rains and floods, raising concerns that stagnant water could become a breeding ground for the disease.

The ministry’s emergency operations centre reported 266 new cases, including six deaths, bringing the cumulative number of infections to 9,533.

The rains and floods have also caused 225 deaths and injured 889 people, the ministry said. Over 73,000 families have been affected, with thousands of homes destroyed or damaged.

The vaccination campaign aims to inoculate over 400,000 people and will continue until Sept. 21. It targets those who haven’t been previously vaccinated and residents of areas not covered in earlier campaigns.

Separately, the health ministry in the River Nile state reported a rise in cholera cases to 2,474, with 61 deaths.

Sudan’s health system is facing a severe crisis, particularly in conflict zones where 80% of facilities have shut down amid shortages of medicines and supplies.