from RAJI BASHIR in Khartoum, Sudan
Sudan Bureau
KHARTOUM, (CAJ News) – AT least 2 260 people have died from cholera in war-torn Sudan almost one year since the disease outbreak.
The water-borne illness has infected 87 219 people during the period.
This represents a fatality rate of 2,6 percent.
The current wave of cholera started in late July 2024.
Experts report the outbreak is fueled by displacement, lack of access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene caused by the breakdown of water supply systems, and limited amounts of medical supplies for the management of cases.
In May, the outbreak’s worsening was likely linked to drone attacks on power and water system infrastructure.
This severely compromised access to safe water and adequate health care.
While case numbers in Khartoum State have declined after a vaccination campaign, the outbreak has spread to all but one of Sudan’s 18 states.
The spread to North, South, West and East Darfur states and to North, South and West Kordofan states are concerning given limited access and the already dire humanitarian and health crises in these states.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is coordinating the response with Sudan’s health authorities and teams that are on the ground providing technical assistance and capacity-building.
WHO is also dispatching cholera and other essential medical supplies to affected localities, said WHO representative in Sudan Dr Shible Sahbani.
“We are exploring all possible ways to deploy medical supplies and technical support to the hard-to-reach Darfur and Kordofan states, including cross-border operations through Chad and South Sudan,” Dr. Sahbani said.
The Sudanese conflict erupted in 2023 and is one of the most severe humanitarian crises worldwide.
– CAJ News