By Peter Kuol Kuch and Yiep Joseph
Health officials in Greater Pibor Administrative Area have confirmed the launch of a cholera vaccination campaign on Tuesday this week.
According to Pibor Ministry of Health, the vaccination campaign aims to reach more than 270,000 individuals across the administrative area.
Last week, the Pibor Administrative Area received approximately 250,000 cholera vaccine doses from the National Ministry.
Speaking to No. 1 Citizen Daily Newspaper, Achon John, the Minister for Health in Pibor, stated that the vaccine is being administered in Gumuruk, Pibor, Likwangolei, and Labarap, among other areas.
“Yes, we have delivered the vaccines to all these locations, and we started yesterday in all those areas. The campaign targets individuals aged one year and above,” he said.
He further clarified that the vaccination targets individuals aged one year and older.
He also noted that cholera cases have relatively reduced in most health facilities in Pibor over the past two days.
“The reported cases of cholera in the last 24 hours have decreased in the areas of Kothingor, Likwangolei, and Guruum. The only new cases are coming from more remote villages,” he explained.
The cholera vaccination campaign is scheduled to last for one week.
Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with Vibrio cholerae bacteria. People can get cholera by eating food or drinking water contaminated with cholera bacteria. It can cause severe watery diarrhoea, which can lead to dehydration and even death if left untreated. It is preventable and can be treated.
Cholera continues to spread in South Sudan, reaching 21,389 cases and 390 deaths as of 17 January. 52 % of patients are in the age group of zero to 14 years with majority of deaths among patients who are 60+ (19%) and zero to 4 years (18%) according to the reports.