KHARTOUM – More than 430 people have died from cholera in the past month, Sudan’s health ministry says, as civil war continues to ravage the country.
The number of infections has risen to about 14,000, it said in a statement.
It said it was doing all it can to “combat cholera in the affected states, amid the rise in infections”. Getting treatment to those affected areas is hugely complicated by the conflict which has killed up to 150,000 people since it began last year, according to the US special envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello.
Medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported that they are “regularly obstructed by both warring parties, the humanitarian response remains far below what is needed”. Cholera is a fast developing and highly contagious disease. It can cause diarrhea, dehydration and death, according to the World Health Organization. It is relatively easy to cure, but rapid treatment is essential.
Health Minister Haitham Mohammed Ibrahim declared a cholera outbreak in mid-August. As well as the war, heavy rainfall and floods have also contributed to the cholera outbreak, compounded by crowding in displacement camps. Esperanza Santos, MSF emergency coordinator for Sudan, said these elements had created a “perfect storm” for cholera to spread. In some areas schools, markets and stores have been told to close to curb the spread of the disease. (BBC)…[+]