Malaria cases have risen significantly at the UN Protection of Civilians sites in South Sudan, especially Bentiu, according to a new report by the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
OCHA reported on Wednesday that the “spike” in the Bentiu POC site has brought the prevalence rate up to 8.2% of the total camp population (820 malaria cases per 10,000 people), based on data current to 16 August.
Since the beginning of the year, malaria, acute watery diarrhoea, malnutrition, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS have been the most frequent causes of death in the Bentiu PoC site, according to OCHA. Nearly half of the deaths are children under the age of five.
OCHA noted also, “Many displaced people arrive at the PoC site after long journeys and with low immunity, placing them at higher risk of contracting malaria.”
The UN agency disclosed that health agencies are increasing efforts to respond to the spike in malaria cases. They have deployed additional staff, enhanced stocks of medicines and diagnostics, distributed insecticide and mosquito nets, conducted residual spraying, and undertaken outreach activities to improve access to screening and treatment.
Photo courtesy MSF
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MSF: Bentiu health situation “precarious” amid malaria upsurge (5 August)