Sudan cholera outbreak tops 11,000 cases, 348 deaths

 September 19, 2024 (KASSALA) – Sudan’s cholera outbreak has infected more than 11,000 people and killed 348 in nine states, the health ministry said on Thursday, as heavy rains and floods worsen the humanitarian crisis in the war-torn country.

The outbreak began on Aug. 12 and has spread amid heavy rains and flooding that have created breeding grounds for disease vectors, according to the federal ministry.

The ministry stated that the worst-affected areas are in eastern Sudan, where a response campaign has reached 71% of the Kassala and Wad Al-Hiliu localities.

In recent days, 399 new cases and five deaths were recorded across six states, including Kassala, River Nile, and Gedaref.

The River Nile state health ministry separately announced 3,000 cases and 71 deaths in its jurisdiction.

The cumulative number of cases has reached 11,079, the federal health ministry said, adding that 232 suspected cases of dengue fever, including two deaths, have also been reported.

The rains and floods have affected 70,000 families and more than 300,000 people across 11 states. The ministry added that around 80% of health facilities in conflict zones are out of service, and there is a severe shortage of medicines and medical supplies.