Over 100 cases of Hepatitis B have been reported in South Sudan’s Gbudue and Namurunyang states, several medical officials said.

Hepatitis B is a potentially life-threatening liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus. It can cause chronic infection and puts people at high risk of death from cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Gbudue State Minister of Health Lino Utu told Radio Tamazuj yesterday that about 90 cases of Hepatitis B have been recorded in the state."We have recorded cases of Hepatitis B, we have found it, and the number of the infected people is between 80 and 90 cases,"said Lino.

He pointed out that the state government is working with health organizations and the World Health Organization in order to control the disease. The minister added that Hepatitis B drugs are very expensive in South Africa.

Separately, Dr. Mustafa Lokuru, Medical Director of Kapoeta Hospital in Namurunyang State, said that medical tests showed the spread of Hepatitis B in Kapoeta area.

The Local health official confirmed that about 12 cases of Hepatitis B have been recorded so far in the area. However, he said their report has not covered the whole state.

"There were people who came to donate blood to their relatives admitted to the hospital, most of them were rejected because of Hepatitis B, when they came first, about 10 cases were recorded, and on Tuesday we recorded other two cases,"said Mustafa.