Fast-rising cholera cases across war-torn Sudan alarm the UN
Sudan's health ministry says cholera cases in the country have increased by almost 40% across 11 of the total 18 states in less than two weeks, alarming the U.N. health officials
CAIRO (AP) — Cholera cases in war-torn Sudan increased by nearly 40% in less than two weeks, according to the latest figures, alarming the U.N. health officials, who long warned about the outbreak and the lack of proper response since it was reported in July.
Sudan’s health ministry said Monday that there were 21,288 cases across 11 of the 18 states during this period, including 626 deaths. This marks a significant increase from 15,577 cases and 506 deaths reported on September 26. The cases are primarily in the eastern states.
Most cases were reported in Kassala, where UNICEF is collaborating with the ministry and the World Health Organization (WHO) to carry out a second round of the oral cholera vaccination campaign that kicked off last month.
“There’s no doubt that the number of cases is increasing rather rapidly. We’re seeing a faster rate of spread than we did during the outbreak last year, so the number of cases is concerning,” Richard Brennan, the regional emergency director at WHO, told The Associated Press on Tuesday. “That’s why together with the Ministry of Health and partners like UNICEF, we’re redoubling our efforts here.”
