South Sudan declares new cholera outbreak

Juba: South Sudanese Ministry of Health has declared a cholera outbreak following the confirmation of eight cases in Rubkona County in the country's Unity States. 

According to details, the health ministry stated that the outbreak has been confirmed following various tests conducted by the National Public Health Laboratory in Juba. 

"Public is being urged not to panic but remain calm and observe all the precautionary measures to prevent community transmission and spread in populations with inadequate access to safe drinking water, poor personal hygiene, and inadequate access to improved sanitation facilities," the ministry said in a statement. 

It said so far, a total of 31 cases including one death have been reported from Rubkona town and Bentiu IDP camp.

The ministry said the confirmed cases presented with watery diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration and were admitted and managed at MSF Bentiu protection of civilians (PoC) hospital, noting that all cases have been discharged.

The ministry reported a confirmed case of cholera from Bentiu IDP camp on April 14 and the latest is the first cholera case to be reported in South Sudan since the devastating cholera outbreak in 2017, affecting more than 28,000 people with 644 deaths.

According to the ministry, the government with support from its partners conducted two rounds of oral cholera vaccination in Rubkona county in January and March, respectively.

On April 14, authorities have activated a national and a state cholera task force to coordinate all response interventions—heightening surveillance in the Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps and at community levels. 

The cholera risk is typically high during the rainy season that starts from May to the end of October.