9 cholera deaths reported in Juba County

By Awan Achiek

The Central Equatoria State Minister of Health, Najwa Juma Mursal, said on Friday that 9 people have died due to cholera in Juba County.

“Up to yesterday, we registered 169 confirmed cases of cholera with nine deaths. That is registered in 9 payams of Juba County, including the three blocks of Yuba City Council,” Juma said.

She said these remarks to the press unit of the Governor of Central Equatoria State, Augustino Jadalla Kamilo whom she had briefed about the situation.

Juma said they have established an Incident Management Committee with the support of partners to manage the cholera outbreak.

“We will work together in order to manage this cholera outbreak in Central Equatoria State, and also to save our people of Central Equatoria State from this disease,” she said.

Juma disclosed that the first case of cholera was confirmed on the 31st September 2024.

“He (Governor Jadalla) gives us directives to go ahead, and he also declared his support to the Ministry of Health,” she disclosed.

Juma advised members of the public to exercise caution and take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the disease.

“Juba City Council has to be vigilant, because this disease also needs the coordination from the community and the support of the community, especially in mobilization and information,” she noted.

Juma urged residents to wash their hands regularly with soap particularly after shaking hands, using the toilet, and handling food.

“We have to keep our environment clean, and we are following some measures like using soap and water after visiting latrines, and also after for example cleaning the children,” she said.

Juma said that efforts are underway to contain the outbreak through the deployment of rapid response teams and the establishment of cholera treatment units.

She noted that flies contribute to transmission of cholera and also contaminated water.

In October this year, the National Ministry of Health declared a cholera outbreak in Renk, Upper Nile State.

This declaration came following reports of 44 suspected cholera cases and six laboratory-confirmed cases on 23 October 2024 in Renk, Upper Nile State.

As of 27 October 2024, 49 cholera cases have been reported among refugees, returnees, and local communities.

The first suspected case was reported on 28 September 2024 after the County Health Department received a report of a suspected case of cholera at the point of entry in Renk, a border town between Sudan and South Sudan.