There have been over 700 cases of cholera in two states in South Sudan’s ongoing outbreak.
32 people have died in the outbreak so far, one fifth of them children, according to a press statement by UNICEF. The cases have been reported in Central Equatoria state, as well as in Bor, the capital of Jonglei state.
“It’s a race against time to prevent the spread of cholera up the river Nile, especially during rainy season,” said the UNICEF Representative in South Sudan, Jonathan Veitch. “Our priority right now is reaching the most vulnerable children who urgently need clean water and vaccinations.”
UNICEF said it is spreading information about cholera prevention in schools because cholera inordinately affects young children.
South Sudan’s ministry of health declared a cholera outbreak on 23 June after a first case was discovered the first of that month.
Last year a cholera outbreak killed 167 people out of over 6421 cases after it spread to five states.
Photo credit: UNICEF