Cholera Death Toll Still Goes Up

This article was last updated on May 26, 2022

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At least 19 people have died at the different cholera treatment centers (CTC) and 18 others died at the Juba Teaching Hospital. Despite the rising figures of people dying of Cholera, government and its health partners, say there is decrease on the spread.  Dr. Lul Riek, chairperson of the South Sudan (Cholera) Task Force, said since the outbreak of the disease, the number of people affected now stands at 1,720.

A total of 47 cases have been reported at the two UN camps in Juba; Tomping and UN House according to Lull.   “The population [in the country] continues to be at high risk,” he said. The chairperson blames the increasing spread on poor attitudes among majority citizens on hygiene. “Most ordinary people do not follow and practice the preventive measures that prevent them from getting infected with the disease,” he said.  

Dr. Lull said that at least 90% of the country’s population lacks access to clean water. Among other factors, he said, this compromises the efforts put in place by the government and its partners in fighting the disease.

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Health Emergency Team leader, Olushayo Olu said that the spread of the disease remains a “concern” and that much work is ongoing in different parts of the country aimed at stamping out the outbreak.

Last week, the South Sudan’s Health Minister Dr. Riek Kok Gai said that there has been confirmation of the disease in Jonglei and Upper Nile States, revealing further spread from Juba since the outbreak was confirmed more than a month ago. 

Cholera is a disease contracted from poor hygiene. Officials said it can be prevented by ensuring clean hygiene up such as washing hands with clean water and soap before eating food and washing hands after visiting toilet and also by drinking clean boiled water. 

According to the officials, efforts of the government and the aid agencies alone, will not end the outbreak, but stressed that personal responsibility of all the citizens in taking into their consideration the importance of their hygiene is of paramount. 

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