The number of reported cases of Kala-azar disease so far this year in South Sudan has already surpassed the total cumulative figure for 2013 by more than double last year’s number.
OCHA, the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, reported the latest figures in a bulletin on Saturday.
The UN agency said the total number of cases so far in 2014 is 5,459 cases and 162 deaths. This compares to a caseload of 2,025 cases and 59 deaths in 2013.
During the past week alone, the numbers of reported cases and deaths increased by 245 and four cases, respectively.
“The majority of the cases continue to be reported from Lankien (3,258), Chuil (919), and Walgak (407), Jonglei State. Partners are responding to the outbreak,” the bulletin said.
Kala-azar is a disease carried by a tiny parasite and spread by the bite of a sand fly. It is causes fever, weight loss, and enlargement of the liver and spleen. Without treatment it is usually fatal.
However, Kala-azar is not the most common disease in South Sudan, and OCHA says that malaria, acute respiratory infections and acute watery diarrhea account for the highest proportion of the disease burden.
File photo: A child suffering from Kala Azar in Ayod (Medair)
Related:
Kala-azar deaths in South Sudan reach 125 (20 Sept.)
Factbox: Kala-azar disease in South Sudan (2 Sept.)