Cholera outbreak in Sudan claims 1,407 lives as cases exceed 52,000
Cholera patients receive treatment at a rural isolation center in Wad al-Hilu, Kassala state, eastern Sudan, August 17, 2024. (AFP Photo)
The cholera outbreak in Sudan has now claimed 1,407 lives, with the total number of reported cases surpassing 52,000, according to the Sudanese Ministry of Health.
Cholera cases continue to rise
The latest figures show that the number of cholera cases in the country has reached 52,517, as the disease continues to spread rapidly. Heavy rains and floods, which began in June, have exacerbated the outbreak, making it harder to contain the infection.
Sudanese authorities declared cholera a public health emergency on August 12, 2024. Since then, efforts have been underway to curb the outbreak, but the deteriorating healthcare system has posed significant challenges.
Millions at risk as healthcare system struggles
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned on October 1, 2024, that 3.4 million Sudanese children are at risk of contracting infectious diseases. The ongoing conflict in Sudan has severely weakened the country’s healthcare system, leaving millions vulnerable to deadly outbreaks.
To combat the crisis, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) sent 1.4 million doses of cholera vaccines to Sudan on October 5, 2024. However, with the conflict continuing to disrupt medical services, containing the outbreak remains a major challenge.
