By Jacob Onuha Nelson and Kei Emmanuel Duku
Health authorities in Torit County, Eastern Equatoria State, have confirmed three deaths due to cholera and 73 suspected cases, registered.
Torit County Health Surveillance Officer, Paul Alhaj Peter Rogashiano, confirmed the cases to No. 1 Citizen Daily Newspaper, on Friday.
He said, Community Health Workers and village chiefs initially reported the first case.
“A team was sent for the investigation, and three presented signs and symptoms of cholera. Unfortunately, three already had died,” Alhaj confirmed.
He noted that most patients examined presented with signs and symptoms of cholera, with Imehejek Boma showing the most severe cases.
“A total of 73 cases have been registered in different locations. When we received the alert of suspected outbreak from Longiro Boma,” Alhaj added.
Meanwhile, Lobeli Mark, Acting Medical Director of Imehejek Administrative Area, said most registered cases originated from Longiro, Imehejek, and West Lopit.
He attributed the surge in cases to poor sanitation, where communities rely on drinking water from ponds, wells, and streams.
“In Longiro Primary Health Unit, we had a total of 21 cases confirmed at the time of our visit, while Imehejek Payam Hospital has 28. But since then, the numbers might have soared higher by Thursday,” Lobeli stated.
The health expert added that the three fatalities were registered at Idali Primary Health Care Units (PHUs), and cases continue to increase daily. Longiro village, for instance, which initially registered 21 cases on Wednesday, reported an additional 17, while three new patients were registered in Imehejek areas.
“The situation on the ground is dire and alarming, but the State Ministry of Health has sent more support, so health personnel from Lopit area are teaming up to contain the spread,” Lobeli added.
He further noted that samples from suspected patients have been sent to Juba for further testing. However, the patients’ symptoms – including vomiting, watery diarrhoea, rapid dehydration – and the deaths of the first three individuals within 24 hours strongly suggest a cholera case.
Adelino Ofere, a local chief of Imehejek, confirmed the deaths and the deteriorating situation in his area. He emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian and medical assistance, stating that existing supplies have already been exhausted.
Torit County in Eastern Equatoria State is located approximately 178 km from Elegu Border with Uganda. Here, the Local Council Five Chairperson of Amuru District, Michael Lakong, also confirmed death of one Ugandan national and eight others admitted to Bibia Health Centre III following a cholera outbreak at Elegu trading centre.
Elegu Trading Centre situated in Atiak Sub County, Uganda, borders Nimule Town in Eastern Equatorial State, South Sudan.
Although Lakong said the outbreak has not yet been officially confirmed by the Uganda Ministry of Health, samples taken from patients and tested at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital revealed they were suffering from cholera.
He attributed the cholera cases at Elegu-Nimule Border to poor sanitation.
“The samples were all tested positive for cholera because there is poor hygiene in terms of environmental waste management and garbage collection sites,” he said.
Lakong said that a team of health workers has already initiated long-term surveillance to prevent spreading Cholera to bordering areas in South Sudan.
“But we have already identified plans and also come up with some local groups to engage in community awareness along the border,” Lakong stated.
He clarified that the cases occurred at a critical time amidst a widespread political campaign, but testing and treatment centres have already been established at Elegu, on the border between Nimule and Elegu, to monitor and provide care for those under treatment.
Lakong further confirmed that all eight admitted patients and the single fatality are Ugandan nationals.