The Lakes State Ministry of Health has confirmed nine deaths from the 223 cases reported following the outbreak of cholera in Yirol East, Yirol West and Awerial counties.
The Ministry said 203 people had recovered from the infection.
The State Health Director General, Dr Maker Malok, told Radio Tamazuj on Saturday that the infections were confirmed following the laboratory tests and the reports by the surveillance officers.
“We have 203 recoveries and they have been discharged and nine death cases since the outbreak of cholera,” he said.
“We sent 86 samples that were collected in three counties to Juba for confirmation, and nine samples were confirmed cholera positive from laboratory out of 223 cases”.
Dr Malok said they had deployed three different teams to three counties, comprising officers contracted by the World Health Organization (WHO).
“We are working hard to reach most of the places,” he said.
Dr Malok blamed the spread of the virus on the use of the untreated water from the River Nile by most of the communities.
“We are trying our best with all these surveillance officers to educate them about the safety of water,” he said.
The cholera outbreak in Lakes State is now in its second month.
Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by the consumption of the bacterium Vibrio Cholerae in contaminated food or water. The bacterial disease, which is often distinguishable by clinical presentation like severe vomiting and rice water-like diarrhea, can be fatal within hours if left untreated.
There is no specific cholera treatment. Oral rehydration solutions (ORS), Intravenous fluids, and antibiotics are highly recommended for the infected. To contain the spread, it is advisable that adequate sanitation, including measures like drinking of clean treated water, avoidance of open defecation, and covering all food before serving, be observed.