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Cholera Killed Nearly 100 In Sudan Over 2 Weeks, Aid Group Says

CAIRO — 

Nearly 100 people died of cholera in two weeks since the waterborne disease outbreak began in Sudan's White Nile State, an international aid group said.

Doctors Without Borders — also known as Medecins Sans Frontieres, or MSF — said Thursday that 2,700 people have contracted the disease since Feb. 20, including 92 people who died.

Of the cholera patients who died, 18 were children, including five no older than 5 and five others no older than 9, Marta Cazorla, MSF emergency coordinator for Sudan, told The Associated Press.

Sudan plunged into war nearly two years ago when tensions simmered between the Sudanese army and its rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces group, or RSF, with battles in Khartoum and elsewhere across the country.

RSF launched intense attacks last month in the White Nile State, killing hundreds of civilians, including infants. The Sudanese military announced at the time that it made advances there, cutting crucial supply routes to RSF.

During the RSF attacks in the state on Feb. 16, the group fired a projectile that hit the Rabak power plant, causing a mass power outage and triggering the latest wave of cholera, according to MSF. Subsequently, people in the area had to rely mainly on water obtained from donkey carts because water pumps were no longer operational.

"Attacks on critical infrastructure have long-term detrimental effects on the health of vulnerable communities," Cazorla said.

The cholera outbreak in the state peaked between Feb. 20 and 24, when patients and their families rushed to Kosti Teaching Hospital, overwhelming the facility beyond its capacity, according to MSF. Most patients were severely dehydrated. MSF provided 25 tons of logistical items such as beds and tents to Kosti to help absorb more cholera patients.

Cazorla said that numbers in the cholera treatment center had been declining and were at low levels until this latest outbreak.

The White Nile State Health Ministry responded to the outbreak by providing the community access to clean water and banning the use of donkey carts to transport water. Health officials also administered a vaccination campaign when the outbreak began.

Sudan's health ministry said Tuesday that there were 57,135 cholera cases, including 1,506 deaths, across 12 of the 18 states in Sudan. The cholera outbreak was officially declared on Aug. 12 by the health ministry after a new wave of cases was reported starting July 22.

The war in Sudan has killed at least 20,000 people, though the number is likely far higher. The war has driven more than 14 million people from their homes, pushed parts of the country into famine and caused disease outbreaks.

80 Succumb To Cholera In Nyirol County

A cholera outbreak hit Jonglei State's Nyirol County last week with at least 1,000 cases registered and 82 deaths reported.

James Bol Makey, the county commissioner, told Radio Tamazuj that those infected were being treated under trees.

"In a space of five days, over 1,000 people contracted cholera in Vhuil Payam, with at least 82 deaths," he said. "There are no wards and all patients are now being treated under trees amidst lack of drugs."

For his part, County Health Director Tiwtiw Kuon appealed for urgent intervention. 

"Our situation is dire in Guer and Chuil payams. We appeal to all partners to come to our aid," he stated. "More than 1,000 people are now sick under trees while others are admitted at the MSF Hospital in Lankien."

Meanwhile, one Langkien resident who identified himself as Gatluak David Yiik said the outbreak was killing many people.

"We are suffering, our people are dying without intervention and we appeal for rescue," he said.

Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestines with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.

It is primarily spread through contaminated water and food, especially in areas with poor sanitation and inadequate access to clean drinking water. Cholera can lead to severe dehydration and death within hours if left untreated.

The symptoms typically include rice-water-like diarrhea, vomiting, and leg cramps. In many cases, those infected may show mild or no symptoms but can still spread the disease.

Preventive measures are crucial in controlling cholera outbreaks and include ensuring access to clean drinking water, promoting proper sanitation and hygiene practices, and providing public health education. Vaccination is also recommended in high-risk areas, but it is just one part of a comprehensive approach to prevention and response.

Cholera Crisis In Sudan Amid Rising Conflict

Sudan's White Nile State is grappling with a severe cholera outbreak that has claimed nearly 100 lives in just two weeks, according to an international aid organization.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported 2,700 cholera cases since February 20, with 92 fatalities, including 18 children under 10. The outbreak has been exacerbated by the ongoing conflict between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Attacks have damaged critical infrastructure, including a power plant, leading to water shortages.

The White Nile State Health Ministry is responding with vaccination campaigns and clean water access. As the war rages on, the humanitarian crisis intensifies, affecting millions across Sudan.

(With inputs from agencies.)

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