South Sudan Takes Urgent Action to Combat Cholera Outbreak in Renk County

South Sudan has declared a cholera outbreak in Renk County, reporting 50 suspected cases and six confirmed cases as of October 28, 2024. In response, health authorities activated a task force, enhanced disease surveillance, and trained health workers. The WHO is supporting the government with treatment facilities, rapid response teams, and emergency health supplies, amidst increasing vulnerability due to ongoing flooding and displacement in the region.

Health authorities in South Sudan have identified a cholera outbreak in Renk County, located along the northern border with Sudan, which serves as a primary entry point for refugees and returnees escaping ongoing conflict. As of October 28, 2024, there have been 50 suspected cases and six confirmed cases reported among refugees, returnees, and the local population. In light of this outbreak, the health authorities have activated a cholera task force at the county level and engaged the national incident management system to ensure a coordinated response. To strengthen disease surveillance, health authorities are offering guidance to local health facilities regarding the definition of cholera cases and are mobilizing community health workers for active case finding and contact tracing. Training programs have enabled 30 health workers to recognize, report, and test for suspected cases of cholera and to effectively collect samples. Yolanda Awel Deng, the Minister of Health, acknowledged the challenging conditions faced by refugees and returnees, including overcrowding and inadequate sanitation, which heighten the risk of outbreaks. The Ministry is collaborating with health, nutrition, and water sanitation and hygiene partners to mitigate the outbreak’s spread. Moreover, the country is grappling with severe flooding, which has caused extensive damage and affected over 81,300 individuals while displacing about 46,500 persons in Upper Nile State, exacerbating the vulnerability of these populations to infectious diseases such as cholera. The World Health Organization (WHO) is working closely with South Sudanese health authorities and has facilitated the establishment of two cholera treatment units—one at Renk Civil Hospital, equipped with 10 beds, and another at Wunthou point of entry, which has four beds. Patients currently hospitalization exhibit a recovery rate of 80% and are showing notable improvement. In further support, WHO deployed two rapid response teams comprising epidemiologists, water and sanitation experts, and public health professionals to enhance on-ground efforts. On October 25, WHO supplied Renk with 12 metric tons of health emergency kits, sufficient to treat around 74,000 individuals, including specialized cholera kits equipped to manage severe and moderate cases. The shipment also included logistical resources crucial for managing cholera effectively. Dr. Humphrey Karamagi, WHO Representative in South Sudan, commended the government’s proactive response to this outbreak in a region facing multiple challenges, reaffirming WHO’s commitment to strengthening disease surveillance and ensuring adequate medical supplies and response coordination.

The cholera outbreak in South Sudan is a critical public health concern, especially as it occurs against a backdrop of armed conflict and humanitarian crises, leading to significant refugee movements. Renk County’s unique position as a transit point for those escaping conflict heightens the urgency of the situation. The prevalence of flooding in the country further complicates public health efforts, increasing the likelihood of cholera transmission due to compromised sanitation and living conditions for displaced individuals.

In conclusion, South Sudan’s health authorities are implementing comprehensive measures to address the cholera outbreak in Renk County, bolstered by support from the WHO. Ongoing efforts include enhancing disease surveillance, providing training for health workers, and ensuring the availability of treatment facilities and emergency medical supplies. The collaboration between various health partners aims to mitigate the outbreak’s impact amid the ongoing challenges posed by conflict and flooding.

Original Source: www.afro.who.int