Sudan is grappling with a severe cholera outbreak that has claimed the lives of at least 22 people and infected hundreds more in recent weeks, according to health officials.
Health Minister Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim announced on Sunday that 22 deaths have been attributed to the cholera outbreak, with 354 confirmed cases reported across the conflict-ridden nation. The outbreak has sparked alarm among health authorities, who are struggling to contain the spread of the disease.
Ibrahim declared a cholera epidemic on Saturday, attributing the outbreak to contaminated drinking water and adverse weather conditions. The decision to declare the epidemic was made in collaboration with local authorities in the eastern state of Kassala, as well as United Nations agencies and public health experts. The declaration followed the discovery of the cholera virus by the public health laboratory.
Margaret Harris, a representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), reported on Friday that a total of 11,327 cholera cases and 316 deaths had been documented in Sudan. She cautioned that the actual number of cases might be higher than reported.
Cholera is a rapid-onset, highly contagious disease characterized by severe diarrhea, which can lead to life-threatening dehydration if not promptly treated. It is primarily spread through the consumption of contaminated food or water, and without immediate medical intervention, it can result in death within hours. Children under the age of five are particularly vulnerable to the infection.
Cholera is not a new threat to Sudan. The country experienced a significant outbreak in 2017, which resulted in at least 700 deaths and approximately 22,000 infections within just two months.
As the current outbreak continues to unfold, health authorities in Sudan, along with international agencies, are working urgently to prevent further loss of life and contain the spread of this deadly disease.