ALBAWABA - Gedaref State in Sudan has declared a cholera outbreak after four of the 264 suspected cases were confirmed and 16 deaths associated with the deadly disease reported since September 25.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is conducting investigations to assess whether cholera has expanded to Khartoum and South Kordofan states, where increased cases of acute watery diarrhea have been reported.
Dr. Nima Abid, WHO Representative in Sudan, visited Gedaref on September 17 and met with health officials and partners to coordinate responses.
"A cholera outbreak can have a devastating effect in the context of a health system already overstretched because of war, shortages of medical supplies and health workers, malnutrition, and access challenges" Dr. Abid stated.
"Unhindered access to affected and neighboring localities is essential to respond effectively to the ongoing outbreak," Dr. Abid added.
Before the cholera outbreak was declared, WHO said that supplies including antibiotics, oral rehydration solution, and intravenous fluids had been delivered to six states, including Gedaref, Khartoum, and South Kordofan.
Rapid diagnostic test kits were also distributed to all 18 Sudanese states, according to the statement.
WHO has stated that it is currently deploying rapid response teams to affected areas and is actively assisting the Ministry of Health in transferring samples of suspected cholera cases to the Public Health Laboratory in Port Sudan, a facility that has been equipped by the UN health agency to provide a national reference service.
The Health Ministry is also coordinating efforts to increase access to clean water and sanitation facilities, as well as ensuring affected and at-risk communities are aware of transmission risks and proper hygiene practices to reduce contamination risks and prevent the outbreak from spreading further.
Sudan is dealing with unprecedented mass displacement, disease outbreaks, and malnutrition as a result of the conflict that began in mid-April 2023 between different military factions, which has been exacerbated by torrential rains and flooding.
Attacks on health facilities, a lack of medical supplies and equipment, health staff, and operational finances have reportedly overloaded the health sector.
According to health officials in the country, around 70% of hospitals in conflict-affected regions are currently inoperable, while functioning hospitals and clinics in non-conflict-affected areas are being swamped by the surge of internally displaced persons.
