Since 2014, South Sudan has been known for the wild, protracted and plundering invasion of cholera. From the data gathered, there has been about 6,870 cases of cholera including 174 deaths since the inception of 2017.
This outbreak fast becoming an epidemic has been deduced to be exacerbated by poor treatment seeking behavior, application of traditional medicines prior to seeking healthcare, insufficient awareness and enlightenment, inaccessibility in the geographical territory, dispersal of the varying communities, inadequate communication and insufficient humanitarian partner presence.
South Sudan, having been in a tight struggle with starvation arising from famine and politically unstable government, has given more road to the life costing infection. With the approaching of the wintry seasons, the transmission becomes rapid and excess flood of poor drainage systems give birth to shallow, ostentatious areas which become breeding grounds for the pathogenous bacteria, known as Vibrio Cholerae.
“Cholera risks becoming an epidemic, especially in rural areas,” said Alfatih Masoud, one of the non official Sudanese doctors union “Our ministry insists on referring to it as diarrhea for political reasons.”
Gathered from Associated Press “WHO” which claims the acute infectious disease is spread through ingestion of contaminated water or food, usually marked by severe diarrhea, dehydration or abdominal cramps. According to the press, 2017 shows a slight increase in cases (of cholera) which coincidentally paves route with the constant rise of displaced citizens as per the progressive movement of the ongoing civil war into its fourth year.
It’s however necessary for the declaration of state of emergency over cholera outbreak and delay in the start of school year in the capital, Khartoum to limit invasion. Egypt has then began the thorough screening of passengers from Sudan at the Cairo’s international airport before flight. For political convenience due to the faction between President Salva Kiir and the opposition led by Riek Machar, it’s publicly announced that intensive limitation are best on grounds hopefully.
Correspondent: Olayiwola A. Ridwan
