Unity State records 73 cholera deaths in one week

Health workers transfer a patient from the cholera treatment unit of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). (Credit: AFP)

At least 73 people have succumbed to cholera in the last week out of 3,700 registered cases across Unity State, local health authorities said on Sunday.

Most of the deaths were recorded in Rubkona Hospital, Bentiu Hospital, the health facility in Riohriak Payam, and Bentiu IDP Camp which is managed by MSF.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Sunday, the Director General at the State Ministry of Health, John Mut Bol, confirmed the 73 deaths and said 2,000 patients out of the recorded 3,700 had recovered from the disease and had been discharged from the four health facilities.

“However 700 cases remain active and are under treatment in the four locations. The six counties of Leer, Mayiendit, Koch, Mayom, Guit, and Rubkona have all recorded cholera cases and only Panyijiar County has no case,” he explained. “The counties outside Bentiu did not report deaths and most of the deaths happened in Rubkona Town, Bentiu Town, Riohriak Health Cente,r and Bentiu IDP Camp which are all in and around Bentiu.”

Meanwhile, Rubkona County Executive Director Jal Kuol confirmed the deaths and rise in the number of cholera infections.

“Cholera is killing young people, the elderly, and children. The state health ministry and its partners, especially MSF, are doing their best to help after deaths increased,” he stated. “However, the cases of people who died of cholera at home were not included in the data of the dead.”

For his part, Dak Thak, a resident of Riohriak Payam, said the cholera outbreak last month affected the community because there was no awareness and they drink untreated water from the river.

“We lack awareness from health authorities and a large section of the population do not know how to wash their hands,” he lamented. “When you do anything, you must first wash your hands.”