Authorities in Losolia County of South Sudan’s Kapoeta State have expressed concerns over the spread of Kala-azar disease among citizens amidst lack of medical supplies in the area.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday, Losolia County commissioner Koetein Thomas said they are witnessing extensive spread of the disease among citizens. He said that in every 10 people, 4 of them are infected.
Thomas noted that Losolia is in need of medical supplies and services to be able to attend to the sick population. He urged health organisations to provide the much needed health services to the people.
Kala-azar, also known as Visceral leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease that if left untreated causes deaths. It mostly affects the internal organs like the liver, spleen and bone marrow. Its symptoms include fever, weight loss, fatigue, anaemia and swelling of the internal organs.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Thomas said recent cattle raids have exacerbated the water crisis in the region as pastoralists fear to search for water for their livestock in neighbouring Kenyan Turkana County.
Earlier this month, armed groups from Turkana launched an attack in Kapoeta killing 16 people, injuring four others and looted an unknown number of cattle.
He further revealed that he was not aware of any communication between Kapoeta state authorities and the Kenyan government to recover the cattle that was looted this month.
The Toposa community of South Sudan and Turkana of Kenya have been involved in a protracted conflict caused by cattle raids and dispute over water source.