Cholera Outbreak in Sudan's White Nile State: Over 400 Cases, Schools Closed
A cholera outbreak in Sudan's White Nile State has infected over 400 people and claimed 13 lives, prompting the closure of schools. Health officials and activists are urgently calling for support to manage the crisis and prevent further spread.
Following the rise in cholera cases to over 400 in Sudan's White Nile State, schools have been closed.
In response to the severe cholera outbreak, schools in the White Nile State's Kosti region have been shut down. Regional officials have reported that over 400 people have been infected, and 13 have died. The spread of cholera has raised concerns among residents of the White Nile State in southern Sudan. Activists have urgently called for support to the overwhelmed Kosti Hospital.
The Acting Minister of Education for the White Nile State, Al-Tayeb Ali Issa, stated in a declaration, 'All schools and kindergartens in Kosti will be closed for one week.' The decision was made after a recent spike in 'acute watery diarrhea,' which the state's Health Ministry says poses a risk to the safety of the community and students. The Ministry of Education is working with the Ministry of Health to assess the situation in Kosti and other areas of the region to determine whether schools should remain closed or reopen.
The White Nile State Health Minister, Al-Zein Adam Sad, confirmed that cholera cases have exceeded 400, with 13 deaths. The minister stated that all necessary precautions have been taken since Friday to provide reliable oral rehydration therapy and implement cholera response campaigns. He denied reports of dozens of deaths at Kosti Hospital, confirming that the death toll stands at 13.
In conflict-affected areas of Sudan, up to 80% of health facilities have ceased operations, while 45% remain non-functional even in secure areas. The spread of cholera, exacerbated by severe food shortages, war casualties, and preventable diseases, has added further strain to an already fragile system. International organizations, including the World Health Organization, Médecins Sans Frontières, and the Red Cross, have called for urgent intervention to control the outbreak and prevent its spread to other regions, urging support for the Ministry of Health and community efforts.
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