By Peter Kuol Kuch
At least six people have died of cholera and about 326 have been hospitalized at Akobo County Hospital in the past two weeks, officials at Jonglei State Ministry of Health reported.
Speaking to No. 1 Citizen Daily Newspaper on Monday, Duop Raam, the Director General at the Jonglei State Ministry of Health, stated that the number of cases has risen significantly recently.
Mr. Raam mentioned that fluids have been transported to Akobo by Save the Children and Care International to assist in managing the cholera patients receiving treatment at Akobo Hospital.
“We are doing our best to send items to Akobo, and we have provided fluids to Save the Children and Care International,” he said.
He noted that Akobo was not initially affected during the cholera outbreak, which has seen cases decline in some areas.
“We have just realized that when cholera impacted other counties, Akobo was left out. Now, however, it appears that the outbreak is moving into Akobo,” Duop stated.
He urged local residents to continue following cholera preventive measures, such as washing hands with soap and clean water.
According to health officials, the cholera outbreak began in Pigi, Pangak, Twic East, and Duk Counties across Jonglei State, with over 2,800 cases reported and 80 deaths since the outbreak started in November last year.
“Akobo is connected to the affected areas, and I want everyone to be cautious and protect themselves by washing their hands with clean water. This is the best way to safeguard against cholera,” he stated.
Earlier this month, the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the National Ministry of Health, launched a cholera vaccination campaign in Bor South, which is set to continue in the remaining counties of Jonglei State.