South Sudan has declared a cholera outbreak in Renk County, linked to the influx of refugees from Sudan amidst ongoing conflict. As of October 28, 2024, there are 50 suspected cases and six confirmed cases. Health authorities are mobilizing resources, training health workers, and establishing cholera treatment units with support from the WHO, who has also provided emergency health kits to combat the outbreak.
Health authorities in South Sudan have announced a cholera outbreak in Renk County, which is situated along the northern border with Sudan. This region serves as a critical entry point for refugees and returnees escaping ongoing conflict in Sudan. As of October 28, 2024, there have been 50 suspected cholera cases, including six confirmed cases among the refugee population, returnees, and the local community. In response to this urgent health crisis, the South Sudanese government has activated a cholera taskforce at the county level to ensure a coordinated and effective response. Furthermore, the national incident management system has been mobilized to enhance disease surveillance efforts. Health authorities are disseminating information to all medical facilities in the area about cholera case definitions and are engaging boma health workers to conduct active case finding and contact tracing. In addition, 30 healthcare professionals have received training to properly identify, report, and test for suspected cases of cholera, as well as collect necessary samples. Yolanda Awel Deng, the Minister of Health in South Sudan, highlighted the challenging conditions faced by refugees and returnees, including overcrowding and inadequate sanitation, which exacerbate the risk of disease outbreaks. She stated, “The Ministry of Health is aware of the difficult conditions refugees and returnees face…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.” The ongoing unprecedented flooding in South Sudan has further complicated the situation, affecting more than 81,300 individuals and displacing approximately 46,500 people in Upper Nile State, where Renk is located. These dire circumstances increase the vulnerability of affected populations to infectious diseases, including cholera. The World Health Organization (WHO) is actively collaborating with local health authorities to provide assistance, including the establishment of two cholera treatment units: one at Renk Civil Hospital with a capacity of 10 beds, and another at Wunthou point of entry with four beds. Currently, the recovery rate for those hospitalized is reported at 80%, with patients showing significant improvement. On October 25, WHO delivered 12 metric tons of health emergency kits to Renk, sufficient to treat around 74,000 people. These supplies included cholera kits capable of managing 560 severe cases and 2,340 mild to moderate cases, as well as a cholera investigation kit and the necessary logistical equipment. Dr. Humphrey Karamagi, WHO Representative in South Sudan, commended the government’s swift response, stating, “I commend the Government of South Sudan on its high-level response to the cholera outbreak in this fragile area of the country. WHO is committed to supporting the Ministry of Health in enhancing disease surveillance, improving response coordination, and ensuring the availability of medical supplies. This coordinated approach underscores the commitment of South Sudanese authorities and international organizations to mitigate the cholera outbreak impact amidst an already challenging humanitarian situation.
The cholera outbreak in South Sudan emerges in a context of increasing vulnerability for populations affected by the ongoing armed conflict and subsequent displacement from Sudan. Renk County, being a hub for incoming refugees and returnees, faces significant public health challenges. The region has been further destabilized by severe flooding that has rendered many areas inaccessible and compromised water and sanitation systems, which are critical for preventing disease transmission. The cholera outbreak is a grave public health threat that necessitates immediate intervention, awareness, and resources to protect affected communities.
In summary, South Sudan’s health authorities are vigorously addressing the cholera outbreak in Renk County by activating response systems, enhancing surveillance, and providing necessary medical support and training to healthcare professionals. The involvement of the WHO is pivotal in stabilizing the situation through the provision of essential supplies and logistical support. This concerted effort aims to safeguard the health of vulnerable populations amidst the broader crisis caused by conflict and flooding, highlighting the importance of coordinated health response in fragile contexts.
Original Source: www.afro.who.int
