By Bosco Bush
Central Equatoria State (CES) government has activated a comprehensive response plan to combat a surge in cholera cases.
As of date, the state has recorded over 160 infections and at least 9 fatalities, primarily concentrated in Juba City.
Governor Augustino Jadalla has directed relevant state institutions to intensify efforts to contain the outbreak. He called for collaborative work and assured full support for the response activities.
To strengthen the state’s response, Governor Jadalla met with Vice President Hussein Abdelbagi to discuss strategies for curbing the spread of cholera across CES and other regions.
A joint meeting with Juba City Council and the State Ministry of Health was convened to coordinate efforts and prioritize public health measures.
Both officials, Dr. James Wani—Director General of CES Ministry of Health, and H.W. Johnson Swaka—Mayor, Juba City Council pledged to step up efforts to fight the outbreak in the three blocks of Juba City Council.
Mayor Swaka said efforts and measures including extensive public health awareness are being put in place to mitigate the outbreak. He cautioned the public to be vigilant.
“We want to tell our citizens to cooperate and keep their houses clean and restaurants to be kept clean. The Ministry of Health is working together with us in preventing the spread of cholera,” said H.W. Swaka.
On Friday, the CES-State minister of health confirmed 169 cases of Cholera with 9 deaths in Juba County. This came after the declaration of a cholera outbreak in the country.
South Sudan declared a cholera outbreak in the country on Oct 28, 2024. The declaration came after reports of 44 suspected cholera cases and six laboratory-confirmed cases on Oct. 23 in Renk, Upper Nile State.
National Minister of Health, Yolanda Awel assured the public that the government is committed to stopping the spread of the bacterial disease.
Cholera, is a bacterial disease usually spread through contaminated water. Cholera causes severe diarrhoea and dehydration. Left untreated, cholera can be fatal within hours, even in previously healthy people.
Modern sewage and water treatment have virtually eliminated cholera in industrialized countries. But cholera still exists in Africa, Southeast Asia and Haiti.
The risk of a cholera epidemic is highest when poverty, war or natural disasters force people to live in crowded conditions without adequate sanitation.
Cholera is easily treated. Death from severe dehydration can be prevented with a simple and inexpensive rehydration solution.