An outbreak of cholera continues to spread in South Sudan’s capital Juba as suspected cases are also reported from towns in the region including Bor and Kajo Keji.
The Minister of Health in South Sudan’s Central Equatoria State Felix Lado said Juba Teaching Hospital yesterday received over 49 cases of cholera disease, and one person died.
In an interview with Radio Tamazuj, Minister Lado noted that the hospital has recorded so far over 149 cholera cases. He pointed out that Kajo Keji County recorded also 9 suspected cholera cases.
“Yes, there are diarrhoeas in Kajo Keji, but the result has not yet been confirmed because the result is still in a laboratory,” he explained.
The state official further complained about fuel shortages in the capital city, saying the fuel crisis has negatively affected the health sector. Lado urged citizens not to eat exposed foods and not to defecate in open spaces in order to avoid cholera.
Meanwhile, health workers at Juba Teaching Hospital said electricity was cut off over the last three days due to shortage of fuel, affecting various departments of the facility.
Suspected cholera cases in Jonglei
Separately, the Minister of Health in Jonglei State said Bor Hospital received 19 cholera cases, adding that one person died before reaching the hospital.
The minister told Radio Tamazuj that his ministry is facing challenges in controlling the outbreak in the state.
He attributed the problem to lack of means of transports and medicines. However, he disclosed that a medical team is now working to educate citizens on the risk of the outbreak.
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