South Sudan’s health ministry declared a cholera outbreak in Renk County, Upper Nile State, following confirmation of six cases. Health Minister Yolanda Awel Deng announced the outbreak on Monday in Juba, stating that, as of October 11, 33 suspected cases had been reported in the county.
“The Ministry of Health, therefore, declares an outbreak of cholera in Renk County of Upper Nile in South Sudan, based on confirmation of cholera by culture and confirmed evidence of local transmission in Renk,” Deng stated. The majority of cases involve individuals aged 15 and above, with 33 cases in males and 32 in females. Fortunately, no deaths have been reported.
In response, the ministry has activated an incident management system to enhance response measures and increase surveillance. Deng assured the public that the ministry would work closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners to coordinate intervention efforts aimed at controlling the spread. She emphasized the importance of drinking treated water to prevent infection.
Dr. Humphrey Karamagi, the WHO’s Country Director in South Sudan, highlighted the potential threat posed by the outbreak. “Our declaration of a cholera outbreak is not a simple issue. This could significantly undermine a lot of the progress the country has made so far in the health sector,” Karamagi warned. He added that the WHO is mobilizing resources with its partners to address the situation and minimize the outbreak’s impact.
