Sudan faces imminent health crisis due to lethal cholera epidemic outbreak.

Sudan faces imminent health crisis due to lethal cholera epidemic outbreak.

Sudan Witnesses Deadly Cholera Outbreak in War-Torn Capital

In a devastating turn of events, a cholera outbreak has claimed 70 lives in two days in Sudan's capital, Khartoum, according to health officials. The announcement was made on Thursday, shedding light on a significant health crisis emerging in the war-ravaged city.

On Wednesday alone, the city reported 942 new infections and 25 deaths, following 1,177 cases and 45 deaths on the previous day. This surge coincides with weeks of disrupted water and electricity supplies across the capital, attributed to drone attacks reportedly carried out by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

The city of Khartoum has been a battleground in the two-year-long conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF. Authorities recently announced that they had dislodged RSF fighters from their strongholds in Khartoum state. However, the healthcare system is precariously strained as nearly 90 percent of hospitals in the conflict's main battlegrounds have been forced out of service due to the fighting.

The federal health ministry reported a total of 172 deaths due to cholera during the week up to Tuesday, with 90 percent of the fatalities occurring in Khartoum state. Approximately 89 percent of patients in isolation centers are reportedly recovering, but authorities caution against deteriorating environmental conditions driving a surge in cases.

The United Nations' chief spokesperson announced that cholera vaccinations have commenced in Jebel Awila, the hardest-hit district in Khartoum. The World Health Organization has also delivered over 22 metric tons of cholera and emergency health supplies to aid local efforts.

Aid agencies warn that the ongoing conflict and lack of basic services, including clean water, dramatically increase the risk of disease, including cholera, spreading further. The arrival of the rainy season next month, expected to severely limit humanitarian access, is a significant concern.

Since August 2024, health authorities have recorded over 65,000 cases and over 1,700 deaths due to cholera and acute watery diarrhea across Sudan. In Khartoum State alone, thousands of suspected cases have been reported, particularly among children under five. Nearly 1 million children are at risk in cholera-affected areas of Khartoum, according to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF).

(Reporting by FRANCE with AFP)

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2. This cholera outbreak is a stark reminder of the impact of conflict on the health and wellness of a community.
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4. Chronic diseases such as respiratory conditions and digestive health issues can worsen due to poor hygiene and sanitation, as seen in this cholera outbreak.
5. Eye health and hearing can also be affected by poor environmental conditions, adding to the health-and-wellness challenges in Khartoum.
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