South Sudan Intensifies Response to Cholera Outbreak in Renk
South Sudan has declared a cholera outbreak in Renk, with 50 suspected cases reported as of October 28, 2024. Health authorities have activated a taskforce and are enhancing disease surveillance and response efforts. The World Health Organization has established treatment units and provided emergency health kits to combat the outbreak, which is complicated by flooding and the influx of refugees from Sudan.
Health authorities in South Sudan have declared a cholera outbreak in Renk, a county situated at the northern border with Sudan, which serves as a primary entry point for refugees and returnees escaping ongoing armed conflicts in Sudan. As of October 28, 2024, there have been 50 suspected cases, including six confirmed cases, reported among refugees, returnees, and the local community. In response to this situation, health officials have activated the cholera taskforce at the county level to facilitate coordinated response efforts, alongside engaging the national incident management system. To improve disease surveillance, health authorities are offering guidance to all health facilities regarding cholera case definitions and mobilizing local health workers to conduct active case finding and contact tracing. Training has been provided to 30 health workers to enhance their capacity to identify, report, and test for suspected cholera cases, along with proper sample collection techniques. “The Ministry of Health is aware of the difficult conditions refugees and returnees face, such as overcrowding and poor water and sanitation, which can lead to outbreaks; however, the Ministry is working with health, nutrition, and water sanitation and hygiene cluster partners on the ground to ensure that the risk of the outbreak spreading is minimized,” stated Yolanda Awel Deng, the Minister of Health in South Sudan. Currently, South Sudan is grappling with unprecedented flooding affecting over 81,300 individuals and displacing around 46,500 persons in Upper Nile State, the location of Renk. This ongoing situation exacerbates the vulnerability of the population to infectious diseases such as cholera. The World Health Organization (WHO) is collaborating closely with health authorities and partners to respond to the outbreak, having set up two cholera treatment units—one at Renk Civil Hospital with a 10-bed capacity, and another at Wunthou point of entry with four beds. The current recovery rate is 80%, with hospitalized individuals showing significant progress. Additionally, WHO has deployed two rapid response teams comprising state coordinators, epidemiologists, water, sanitation, and hygiene experts, as well as infection prevention and control specialists. Further deployments of public health and laboratory experts are anticipated within the week. On October 25, WHO delivered 12 metric tons of health emergency kits to Renk, capable of treating around 74,000 individuals. The shipment includes cholera kits suitable for treating severe and moderate cases, along with a cholera investigation kit, beds, and logistics modules. “I commend the Government of South Sudan on its high-level response to the cholera outbreak in this fragile area of the country,” remarked Dr. Humphrey Karamagi, WHO Representative in South Sudan. “WHO is committed to supporting the Ministry of Health in enhancing disease surveillance, improving response coordination, and ensuring the availability of medical supplies.
The cholera outbreak in Renk, South Sudan, is a critical health crisis exacerbated by the ongoing influx of refugees and returnees fleeing conflict in neighboring Sudan. Overcrowding and inadequate sanitation conditions significantly heighten the risk of cholera transmission. In addition, the prevailing floods in South Sudan have further jeopardized the living conditions of the vulnerable populations, facilitating the spread of infectious diseases. The collaborative response efforts from health authorities and organizations such as the World Health Organization aim to curb the outbreak and provide necessary medical support to affected individuals.
In summary, South Sudan’s health authorities are actively addressing the cholera outbreak in Renk with coordinated efforts involving surveillance, training, and deployment of resources. The situation, worsened by flooding and the influx of displaced individuals, highlights the urgent need for effective public health interventions. Organizations like the WHO are playing a vital role in supporting these initiatives to minimize the outbreak’s impact and provide essential healthcare services to at-risk populations.
Original Source: www.afro.who.int
