Juba, 28 October 2024—The Ministry of Well being has declared a cholera outbreak at the moment in Renk, Higher Nile State. This declaration comes after reviews of 44 suspected cholera circumstances, and 6 laboratory-confirmed circumstances on 23 October 2024 in Renk, Higher Nile State. As of 27 October 2024, 49 cholera circumstances have been reported amongst refugees, returnees, and native communities.
The primary suspected case was reported on 28 September 2024 after the County Well being Division acquired a report of a suspected case of cholera on the level of entry in Renk, a border city between Sudan and South Sudan.
In response, the Ministry of Well being, the World Well being Group, and different companions are taking steps to handle the outbreak.
The announcement was made after a gathering with His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit to safe authorities assist for higher entry to affected areas.
In a press convention in Juba, Well being Minister Honorable Yolanda Awel Deng assured residents that the federal government is dedicated to stopping the unfold of cholera in Renk, Higher Nile State.
“The Ministry of Well being is conscious of the troublesome situations refugees and returnees face, resembling overcrowding and poor water and sanitation, which might result in outbreaks; nonetheless, the Ministry is working with well being and water sanitation and hygiene cluster companions on the bottom to make sure that the chance of the outbreak spreading is minimized,” mentioned Hon. Deng. She additionally added that the Ministry of Well being and WHO have taken steps to correct administration of circumstances reported, guaranteeing that every-contact on the bottom is adopted. She urged the communities to observe good and protected behaviors, resembling constant hand washing, use of latrines, and correct meals dealing with all through the outbreak season.
Addressing the press convention, Dr Humphrey Karamagi, WHO Nation Consultant in South Sudan, counseled the Ministry of Well being for declaring the outbreak. The announcement allows the general public to take prevention measures, helps well being companions take the required steps to include the outbreak, and unlocks the required assets for combating the outbreak.
Dr Karamagi additional affirmed that WHO had prepositioned medical provides mandatory for cholera administration in Renk and Malakal, Higher Nile State and reiterated the group’s dedication to aiding the South Sudanese authorities and companions in controlling the unfold of cholera.
Dr Karamagi reiterated WHO’s dedication to supporting the Ministry of Well being in enhancing illness surveillance, bettering response coordination and guaranteeing the provision of medical provides. This contains help with case administration, laboratory testing, pattern assortment, transportation, and follow-up.
“Because of funding from the European Union Humanitarian Assist (ECHO) and the USA Company for Worldwide Growth (USAID) allowed WHO to deploy consultants and supply technical and logistical assist,” mentioned Dr Karamagi.
With the assist of WHO, the Ministry has additionally reactivated a nationwide, state, and county cholera taskforce to coordinate all response interventions, heighten surveillance, and associate coordination. WHO additionally helps the County Well being Division and State Ministry of Well being response group in case of any potential outbreak and is actively engaged in social mobilization.
Hon. Yolanda reassured the general public to not panic however to remain calm and comply with security measures. Though cholera will be very severe, it’s preventable.
The press convention was attended by the media, high-level authorities officers, and the Nationwide Cholera Job Pressure, amongst others.
For extra info, please contact:
Dr Aggrey BATEGEREZA, Emergency Preparedness and Response Staff Lead
Dr. Eric RURANGWA, Incident Supervisor for Cholera Response