A dengue fever outbreak in Omdurman, Sudan’s third-largest city, has resulted in the deaths of 253 individuals and infected over 7,600, as reported by the Steering Committee of the Sudanese Doctors’ Union on Wednesday.
The committee confirmed that there are 7,632 recorded dengue cases, along with an additional 4,088 suspected instances. This alarming number significantly surpasses the national figures of 2,024 cases and nine fatalities reported by Sudan’s health ministry on Tuesday.
Adiba Ibrahim Al-Sayed, a member of the committee, informed Sudan Tribune that malaria and other unidentified fevers are also prevalent in Omdurman, where the lack of laboratory facilities and the exodus of medical personnel have exacerbated the situation. Additionally, she noted a rising incidence of a bacterial skin rash that leads to severe wounds and inflammation.
Cholera-related deaths are also on the rise, attributed to a critical shortage of intravenous fluids. The committee has called on international organizations for medical assistance and urged the warring factions to allow humanitarian access and release detained medical professionals.