South Sudan intensifies efforts to curb cholera outbreak
October 30, 2024 (RENK) – Authorities in South Sudan have intensified efforts to curb the spread of Cholera, days after an outbreak of the disease was declared in Renk county of Upper Nile state.
According to South Sudan’s Ministry of Health, a total of 50 suspected cases with six confirmed cases were reported among refugees, returnees and the host community as of 28 October 2024.
Renk is the main point of entry for refugees and returnees fleeing the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
Health authorities have reportedly activated the cholera taskforce at the county level to facilitate coordinated response efforts and the national incident management system has been engaged.
A statement from the World Health Organization (WHO) said health authorities are providing guidance to all health facilities in the area to enhance disease surveillance. Also, 30 health workers have been trained to identify, report and test for suspected cholera cases and in sample collection procedures.
“The Ministry of Health is aware of the difficult conditions refugees and returnees face, such as overcrowding and poor water and sanitation, which can lead to outbreaks, however, the Ministry is working with health, nutrition and water sanitation and hygiene cluster partners on the ground to ensure that the risk of the outbreak spreading is minimized,” says Yolanda Awel Deng, the Minister of Health in South Sudan.
South Sudan is currently experiencing unprecedented flooding that has caused widespread devastation in several parts of the country and affected more than 81 300 people and displaced around 46 500 people in Upper Nile State, where Renk is located. These numbers continue to rise every week and place already vulnerable people at risk of infectious diseases such as cholera.
WHO said it is working closely with the health authorities and partners and has provided support to establish two cholera treatment units, one at Renk Civil Hospital and another at Wunthou point of entry.
Renk Civil Hospital reportedly has 10 beds while Wunthou point of entry has four beds.
The current recovery rate, it said, is 80% and those hospitalized are showing significant progress and improvement.
Meanwhile WHO has reportedly deployed two rapid response teams, including state coordinators, epidemiologists, experts in water, sanitation and hygiene, infection prevention and control, risk communication and community engagement and laboratory officers.
Additional public health and laboratory experts are scheduled for deployment within the week, it noted.
According to WHO, on 25 October, 12 metric tons of health emergency kits were delivered to Renk. These kits can treat around 74 000 people and include cholera kits which can treat 560 severe and 2340 mild to moderate cases. The shipment also consists of a cholera investigation kit, 25 cholera beds, two cholera logistics modules and ten tents of varying size.
“I commend the Government of South Sudan on its high-level response to the cholera outbreak in this fragile area of the country,” says Dr Humphrey Karamagi, WHO Representative in South Sudan.
“WHO is committed to supporting the Ministry of Health in enhancing disease surveillance, improving response coordination, and ensuring the availability of medical supplies,” he added.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) define Cholera is a bacterial disease spread through contaminated water and food. Cholera can cause severe diarrhea, dehydration, and even death if the disease goes untreated.
(ST)