The Sudanese Ministry of Health has officially declared the outbreak of cholera in the country, citing deteriorating environmental conditions and the lack of clean drinking water in several areas.
The announcement was made by Sudan’s Minister of Health, Haitham Ibrahim, following consultations with federal officials, the Ministry of Health in Kassala State, United Nations agencies, and various experts.
The decision came after laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the cholera bacterium in the affected regions.
According to Ibrahim, the states of Kassala and Gedaref in eastern Sudan are the most severely impacted by the outbreak. However, he did not specify the exact number of cases identified.
Sudan has been grappling with heavy rainfall for several weeks, which has led to widespread displacement of thousands of people and the emergence of various diseases. The situation has been exacerbated by an increase in cases of diarrhea, particularly among children.
Cholera is a severe diarrheal illness caused by ingesting food or water contaminated with the Vibrio cholerae bacterium. If left untreated, the resulting dehydration and severe diarrhea can lead to death within hours.
The Sudanese government and international health organizations are now focusing on controlling the spread of the disease and addressing the underlying causes, such as poor sanitation and contaminated water sources.
As the outbreak continues, there is an urgent need for coordinated efforts to provide clean water, improve sanitation, and deliver timely medical care to those affected, to prevent further loss of life.
