At least 37 people died of cholera in Eastern Lakes and other 13 cases were recorded in Jonglei State, local officials announced on Monday.
Tong Koyom, Yirol County Commissioner in Eastern Lakes State, told Radio Tamazuj on Monday that a medical team from the state ministry of health reported that at least 37 people died of cholera in three counties along the River Nile.
“There are no signs of cholera cases in my county, but there are three areas along the River Nile where 37 people died due to cholera disease according to the state ministry of health. The areas include Adior, Shambe, and even Minkaman of Awerial County,” said Tong.
Koryom pointed out that the state ministry of health had dispatched a medical team to those areas in order to carry out a campaign against cholera.
For his part, Achol Marial, Minister of Information in Eastern Lakes State, confirmed that at least 14 people died of suspected cases of cholera near the River Nile last week.
Elsewhere in Jonglei State, Minister of Health in Jonglei, Dr. Angok Gordon, confirmed that cholera cases were reported in swampy areas near the River Nile in greater Bor counties. However, the local official did not give more details about the matter.
Meanwhile, Dr. Kwai Deng Kwai, Director General at Jonglei’s Ministry of Health, said they have recorded about 13 cases of cholera in the state.
He further said one case of cholera was recorded at Panyagor Hospital and that other 12 cases are being treated at Bor Hospital. “Previously, we had more than 12 cases at Bor Hospital, but we discharged some of them in the past few days,” said Kwai.
Dr. Kwai explained that the first cases of cholera were recorded in Jalle Payam last month, but the other cases were reported later in Jarweng area and Duk County.
The local official noted that a medical team will be sent to Duk County soon.
Kwai pointed out that the state health ministry has already dispatched doctors to the worst affected areas along the River Nile to advise local residents on how to treat drinking water.
He urged citizens in Jonglei to report any suspected cholera cases to nearby health facilities for immediate treatment.
Photo: Cholera treatment centre in South Sudan in 2014 (Medair/Wendy van Amerongen)