Cholera Outbreak Spreads to Northern Sudan

January 25, 2024 (DONGOLA) – – An official from Sudan’s Ministry of Health has confirmed the presence of suspected cholera cases in the Northern State, while the number of confirmed cases has risen in the Nile River State.

The Sudanese government first reported a cholera outbreak in the states of Gedaref and Khartoum in September 2023, and the epidemic has since spread to several other states, including Al-Jazira, White Nile, Red Sea, and Kassala. The Nile River State also reported its first cases in January 2024.

The United Nations had previously warned that the cholera outbreak could affect over three million Sudanese people.

A Ministry of Health official told Sudan Tribune that 13 unconfirmed suspected cases of cholera have been identified in the Dongola region of the Northern State.

The official stated that “samples have been taken from patients to confirm the status of these cases and to implement necessary measures to prevent the spread of the disease.”

The official also indicated that the Ministry plans to launch a third cholera vaccination campaign in February 2024.

Meanwhile, the Department of Emergency and Epidemic Control at the Ministry of Health in the Nile River State reported 41 confirmed cholera cases in the state.

A statement from the Department of Emergency and Epidemic Control stated that there were six cases in Atbara, 33 cases in Al-Damer, and one case each in Shendi and Al-Matama.

The Ministry urged the public to implement preventive measures, including covering eating utensils, washing hands frequently, reporting suspected cases, and avoiding consuming untreated water.

The Sudanese Ministry of Health launched a second cholera vaccination campaign in Khartoum State in December 2023, targeting the localities of Karari, Umm Badda, and East Nile.

The first vaccination campaign, conducted in November 2023, targeted the states of Gedaref and Gezira. The Global Mechanism for the Elimination of Cholera provided approximately 2.2 million vaccine doses to support these efforts.

The outbreak comes at a critical juncture for Sudan, as its healthcare system is already strained due to the ongoing conflict. An estimated 70% of hospitals in conflict-affected areas have been rendered non-operational, and those in non-conflict zones are struggling to cope with the influx of displaced people. This dire situation has made it even more difficult to contain the cholera outbreak and provide adequate treatment to affected individuals.

The cholera epidemic is a stark reminder of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Sudan. The combination of conflict, displacement, and inadequate healthcare resources has created a breeding ground for disease and suffering.

(ST)