Cholera Outbreak Claims 22 Lives in Sudan Amid Ongoing Conflict

Sudan is grappling with a devastating cholera outbreak that has claimed the lives of at least 22 people and infected over 350, according to Health Minister Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim. The outbreak, which began in the eastern province of Kassala, has rapidly spread to nine localities across five provinces, compounding the challenges faced by the country amidst a 16-month-long conflict and seasonal floods.

As of recent weeks, 354 confirmed cases of cholera have been reported, with health authorities warning of the disease’s rapid spread due to the collapse of essential infrastructure and healthcare services. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported 78 cholera-related deaths and over 2,400 infections in Sudan since the beginning of the year, highlighting the severe public health crisis.

Cholera, a highly contagious and fast-developing disease, causes severe diarrhea and dehydration, potentially leading to death within hours if untreated. The WHO has indicated that most detected cases were unvaccinated and is now collaborating with Sudanese health authorities to launch an urgent vaccination campaign.

Sudan’s ongoing conflict has severely hampered efforts to contain the outbreak, with the fighting turning cities into battlefields and crippling the healthcare system. The situation is further exacerbated by recent floods, which have displaced over 118,000 people and destroyed critical infrastructure.

In light of the crisis, Sudan’s military-controlled sovereign council announced plans to send a government delegation to Cairo for talks with American officials to address the escalating conflict and humanitarian disaster.