The Sudanese Ministry of Health has reported a sharp increase in cholera cases across the country, with the total number of infections rising to 2,583 and the death toll reaching 98.
The Autumn Emergency Room of the ministry revealed that 234 new cases were identified in the states of Gedaref and Kassala, contributing to the overall rise in infections. The escalating number of fatalities is raising significant concerns about the state of public health in Sudan.
The ministry further noted that over 176,500 individuals, representing about 40,000 families, have been impacted by recent rains and floods across 11 states. The severe weather has resulted in the complete collapse of at least 18,838 homes and partial damage to 15,074 others, exacerbating the challenges for authorities managing these crises.
Previously, on August 19, Sudan’s health authorities announced a cholera outbreak that had claimed 20 lives and infected hundreds. As of 28 July, the World Health Organisation had reported 78 cholera-related deaths in Sudan for the year and more than 2,400 infections between July 1 and July 28.
Cholera, an acute diarrhoeal disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, spreads through contaminated food or water and can be fatal within hours if left untreated. The current outbreak adds to the ongoing turmoil in Sudan, which has been plagued by conflict since April last year, when clashes between the army and the Rapid Support Forces escalated into widespread warfare.