Cholera Outbreak in South Sudan: Current Challenges and Future…

Cholera is endemic in South Sudan, marked by a recent outbreak declared on October 28, 2024, with over 22,000 cases. Factors driving transmission include flooding, displacement, and poor WASH conditions. Although cases are stabilizing in some areas, significant risks remain in remote counties. Rapid response measures, including OCV vaccination, alongside long-term WASH infrastructure investments are crucial for future prevention.

Cholera remains endemic in South Sudan, with recurrent outbreaks influenced by several risk factors. Key contributors include flooding, political instability leading to displacement, and insufficient access to healthcare and sanitation services. The recent cholera outbreak, declared on October 28, 2024, has recorded over 22,000 cases, exhibiting unusual characteristics such as its timing and a different V. cholerae serotype than previous incidents.

Factors driving this outbreak include the introduction of new serotypes, population movements, overcrowding, and deteriorating Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) conditions following recent floods. Despite a stabilization of cases in urban hotspots like Rubkona and Juba by mid-January, there is an alarming rise in cases and fatalities in remote counties including Mayom, Guit, and Fangak, indicating ongoing transmission.

The declaration of a cholera outbreak in Sudan in August 2024 and ongoing conflict are likely to fuel cross-border movements, increasing the risk of cholera’s spread into South Sudan. The country’s inadequate WASH infrastructure, compounded by displacement and flooding, heightens the potential for a larger epidemic.

To combat the ongoing outbreak effectively, rapid scaling of response measures is crucial, particularly vaccination with Oral Cholera Vaccines (OCV) in newly affected regions. Long-term prevention requires substantial investments in infrastructure to support improved WASH facilities and proactive measures to minimize risks of future outbreaks from spillover events into South Sudan.

In conclusion, cholera continues to pose a significant threat in South Sudan, driven by environmental, social, and infrastructural factors. The recent unique outbreak highlights the importance of prompt response strategies and long-term investments in WASH infrastructure. Addressing these challenges is vital to mitigate future outbreaks and safeguard public health.

Original Source: reliefweb.int