Four people have died from an outbreak of kala-azar in Akoka county in South Sudan’s Upper Nile state, county commissioner Daniel Yor said.
Yor said there have been 35 total cases. He said the World Health Organization (WHO) has supplied medicines, but there is not enough.
He called on health organizations in the area to provide more drugs.
Kala-azar disease is transmitted by the bite of the sand fly and is characterized by irregular bouts of fever, weight loss, swelling of the spleen and liver, and anaemia. It can kill within two weeks if not treated.
Dire conditions for displaced
Meanwhile, at least 11,000 conflict-displaced people are facing dire humanitarian conditions owing to lack of food and services in the county.
Yor said that the displaced survive only by fishing and eating leaves.
A food ration meant for two weeks was distributed by the Wold Food Programme in June, Yor said.
“You know, about 1,000 sacks of sorghum were also distributed by the state government, but were inadequate,” he noted.
File photo: (Stanmeyer/MSF)
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