Cholera Outbreak Declared in Abyei: 104 Infected, 10 Dead

By Jenifer James

The Minister of Health for the Abyei Administrative Area has officially declared a cholera outbreak, marking the first reported case since last year.

Earlier this year, cholera affected various regions of South Sudan, but the Abyei Administrative Area remained unaffected until it recorded its first case over the weekend.

In an interview, the state minister of health, Dr. Ayom Kurchiek, confirmed that the current number of cases stands at 104 as of today, Monday, with ten fatalities.

“We have confirmed 104 cholera cases, and sadly, 10 people have already died. This has happened in just over a week, and the numbers continue to rise,” Ayom said.

Ayom reported that 18 patients are currently admitted to hospitals for treatment, while several others are being monitored across three cholera treatment centres now set up in the region.

The main centre is located at Manabek Hospital, supported by both the government and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). Additional centres have been opened at Amiet Market and a primary healthcare centre backed by Save the Children.

Dr. Ayom revealed that many of the deceased never made it to the hospital. “According to community reports, especially from the Amiet side, at least 10 people died at the market before reaching medical help,” he said.

The Ministry of Health is working with national health authorities and international organisations, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), to respond quickly to the outbreak.

“There are already plans in place to launch a vaccination campaign across the area,” Dr. Kurchiek said. “We’re also increasing supplies and lab testing capacity, but the demand is growing every day.”

Public awareness campaigns are underway across Abyei town, Ngok, and Amiet Market, aiming to educate residents on cholera prevention and hygiene.

“We’re urging communities to avoid using contaminated water and to stop defecating in open areas,” Dr. Ayom emphasised. “People need to find safer ways to manage waste and drinking water. This is critical in preventing further spread.”

Ayom added that response teams are actively working on case management, and daily updates are being recorded. “We’re doing everything we can to reduce the number of infections and prevent more deaths,” he said. “But we still need more support, both in supplies and public cooperation.”

According to the national Ministry of Health Cholera Dashboard, there are 72,492 confirmed cases countrywide.