Health officials in Eastern Equatoria State’s Ikotos County on Wednesday confirmed that the death toll from the cholera outbreak there has risen to 12, with 40 patients in critical condition.
So far, there have been 33 recoveries.
The outbreak was first reported on 29 January in Logire Village in Imotong Payam before it spread to Lomohidang, Okorohore, and Losite bomas, respectively.
Ikotos County Health Director Lokeny Julius Sylvester told Radio Tamazuj Wednesday that death cases were in Logire and Okorohore villages and warned that the disease is likely to spread even further.
“The cholera outbreak in Logire left a total of 5 people dead. There was also another outbreak in Okorohore in Lomohidang South Payam, which left seven people dead, making the total of the dead 12,” he explained. “A total of 40 people are infected, and we have 33 recoveries.”
For his part, Ikotos County Commissioner Timon Lolori attributed the deaths to a lack of intervention.
“The outbreak has now reached Lomuleny Boma in Imotong, Losihet Boma, and Okorohore Boma,” he stated. “There is intervention just within the county headquarters.”
Meanwhile, Koten Thoma, the state health minister, confirmed the spread of the disease and said emergency response teams have been sent with supplies to contain the outbreak.
“As a ministry, we are seriously working to contain this outbreak, which started in one of the payam within Ikotos County. It spread to Khor Ramula and Okorohore we sent a team with enough supplies to support the victims,” he said. “There is a need for people to maintain proper hygiene and sanitation because prevention is always better than cure. People should use the latrines and wash their hands properly.”