The Sudanese health ministry announced on Thursday that the cholera outbreak sweeping through nine states has claimed 348 lives and infected over 11,000 people. The situation is worsening amid the country’s humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by heavy rains and flooding.
According to the federal health ministry, the outbreak began on August 12 and has rapidly spread due to flooding and heavy rainfall, which have created ideal breeding conditions for disease vectors.
A response campaign has reached 71% of Kassala and Wad Al-Hiliu, two of the most severely affected areas in eastern Sudan. Six states, including Kassala, River Nile, and Gedaref, reported 399 new cases and five deaths in recent days.
In River Nile state alone, the local health ministry reported 3,000 cases and 71 deaths. The federal health ministry also noted 232 suspected cases of dengue fever, including two fatalities, contributing to the total case count of 11,079.
The floods and rains have affected over 300,000 people and 70,000 families across 11 states. The health ministry highlighted a severe shortage of medications and medical supplies, with approximately 80% of hospitals in conflict zones completely shut down.