Cholera outbreak in Sudan, nearly 15,000 infected, 473 dead

The Sudanese Ministry of Health has reported that a cholera outbreak, originating from heavy rains and floods since August 12, has now affected 10 of the country’s 18 states.

The outbreak has resulted in nearly 15,000 infections and 473 fatalities. The Health Ministry’s emergency operations center recorded 386 new cases, notably 141 in Kassala, 94 in Gedaref, and 83 in Gezira states.

The epidemic has spread across 55 localities within these states. Health Minister Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim convened with the World Health Organisation and UNICEF to coordinate response efforts.

In River Nile state alone, there were 126 new cases, bringing the total there to 3,937 cases with 93 deaths. While Khartoum state has heightened its readiness, no cases have been reported there yet.

Sudan’s health system, already strained with 80% of facilities non-functional in conflict zones and 45% in other areas, faces additional challenges with ongoing disease outbreaks, including cholera and dengue fever, alongside treating casualties from conflict.