The death toll from a cholera outbreak in South Sudan has climbed to 334, up from 274 last month, according to the Ministry of Health.
The outbreak has spread across 28 counties in seven of the country’s 10 states and three administrative areas. Unity State’s Rubkona has recorded the highest number of cases, followed by the capital Juba, Aweil West in Northern Bahr El Ghazal, Mayom in Unity State, and Malakal, the capital of Upper Nile State.
“The cumulative number of cases has reached 19,320, with 334 deaths reported,” said Harriet Akello Pasquale, a health ministry official.
In December, the ministry reported 6,000 cases and 60 deaths, underscoring the rapid escalation of the crisis.
Government Response
The cholera outbreak was officially declared in Upper Nile State in October, following the first suspected case reported on September 28 in Renk, a border town between Sudan and South Sudan.
To combat the outbreak, South Sudan’s Ministry of Finance and Planning has allocated one billion South Sudanese Pounds ($250,000). The funding will be used to enhance water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, as well as to strengthen risk communication, case management, and treatment efforts.
“The funds are aimed at supporting all 10 response pillars, including coordination, immunization programs, surveillance, and laboratory support,” Pasquale added.
The government also launched a vaccination campaign last week targeting over 300,000 individuals in affected areas to curb the spread of the disease.