Cholera outbreak in Sudan has killed at least 22 people

Sudan's health authorities have announced a recent cholera outbreak in the country, resulting in nearly two dozen deaths and hundreds of infections. Simultaneously, Sudan is suffering from the dual blows of a 16-month-long conflict and devastating floods, creating a dire situation.

Health Minister Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim stated on Sunday that at least 22 people have died from cholera, and at least 354 cases have been confirmed nationwide in recent weeks. Ibrahim did not provide specific timeframes for the deaths or cumulative data for the year. However, the World Health Organization reported that Sudan had recorded 78 cholera deaths as of July 28 this year, with over 2,400 infections between January 1 and July 28.

According to the WHO, cholera is a rapidly developing, highly contagious disease that causes diarrhea, leading to severe dehydration, and can result in death within hours if left untreated. Cholera spreads through the ingestion of contaminated food or water, posing a significant public health threat.

This cholera outbreak is the latest disaster facing Sudan. In April of last year, long-standing tensions between the Sudanese military and a powerful paramilitary group erupted into open conflict nationwide, plunging the country into chaos. The conflict has turned the capital, Khartoum, and other urban areas into battlegrounds, destroying civilian infrastructure and the already battered healthcare system. Many hospitals and medical facilities have closed due to a lack of essential supplies.

The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and pushed many to the brink of starvation. Famine has been confirmed in a vast displacement camp in the Northern Darfur region. Data from the International Organization for Migration shows that the conflict in Sudan has created the world's largest displacement crisis, with over 10.7 million people forced to flee their homes since the fighting began, including over 2 million who have fled to neighboring countries.

Cholera is not uncommon in Sudan. In 2017, a previous major outbreak resulted in at least 700 deaths and approximately 22,000 infections in less than two months. WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic stated that the outbreak began in the eastern province of Kassala and then spread to nine districts in five provinces. He told the Associated Press that data showed that most confirmed cases were unvaccinated. He said the WHO is currently working with Sudanese health authorities and partners to implement vaccination campaigns to combat the spread.