FMoH: 189 cases of cholera among returnees from South Sudan

Port Sudan/The Citizen

White Nile, Sennar, and Blue Nile states have recorded cholera cases among returnees from South Sudan. Reports began on the twenty-third of June as a result of the return of refugees to Blue Nile State, where the number of cases exceeded 189 until yesterday. The infections were distributed among the three states, with Sennar State being more affected than the rest of the states, and Blue Nile State is witnessing a rise in the number of cases inside camps housing refugees coming from South Sudan.

Dr. Montaser Mohammed Othman, Director of the Health Emergency and Epidemic Control Department at the Federal Ministry of Health, said that health emergency rooms have been activated in the three states, and that the ministry holds daily meetings with the ministries of health in those states to follow up on the progress of work, preparations, and epidemiological surveillance.

Montaser pointed out that medical supplies and intravenous solutions have been inventoried and provided to the affected states, in anticipation of an increase in cases coming from South Sudan to Blue Nile State, daily reports have been activated, and rapid response teams have been mobilized to follow up on suspected cases, with the possibility of providing federal support when needed.

He added that health awareness teams have been formed in the three states, in addition to the presence of ready response teams. Noting that White Nile State is currently coordinating with the South Sudanese authorities, especially at the Judah crossing, where an isolation center has been established to monitor arrivals and transfer suspected cases to Judah Hospital. Coordination has been made with the Ministry of Health in South Sudan to follow up and treat similar cases there, where more than 70 cholera patients have been treated and monitored.

Montaser noted that those coming from South Sudan through the crossing are periodically vaccinated with the cholera vaccine periodically. He also pointed out that the shelter camps in Blue Nile state need follow-up and interventions from partners to improve the environment and provide water and health services. He stressed the importance of federal and state coordination, noting that MSF has already arrived and its teams will be sent to work in isolation centres.