At least three people have died and 28 suspected cases of cholera have been reported in South Sudan’s Western Bahr el-Ghazal State, according to health officials.
The state’s Health Minister, Dr Francis Michael Hassan, confirmed the deaths on Friday, stating that the cases were identified in Jur River County’s Tharkueng Payam area.
Dr Hassan told Radio Tamazuj that the outbreak was first suspected after reports of severe diarrhoea emerged from the Tharkueng Military Barracks. Samples were collected and sent to Juba for testing through the World Health Organization (WHO).
“On 19 February 2025, one cholera case was confirmed in Tharkueng based on the samples,” he said. “In the past two days, we received reports of watery diarrhoea in the area and deployed a surveillance team. Preliminary results were positive for cholera.”
He added that a response team had been sent to the area to raise awareness and manage the outbreak. “As of this morning, we have recorded three deaths and 28 suspected cases,” Dr Hassan said.
The minister emphasised that the state health ministry was working to secure vaccines, particularly for those in the affected Tharkueng area.
“The cases were reported between 18 and 19 February, and this morning,” he said. “We are taking all necessary measures to contain the outbreak.”
Dr Hassan urged residents to cooperate with health teams and adhere to hygiene guidelines to prevent further spread of the disease.
“We are calling on the public to maintain good hygiene, exercise caution during social gatherings, and follow awareness messages shared through radio and by our teams on the ground,” he said.
Cholera is an acute intestinal infection caused by the Vibrio cholerae bacterium. Symptoms include severe watery diarrhoea, vomiting, and muscle cramps, and can range from mild to life-threatening if untreated.
Health officials are continuing to monitor the situation and have called for urgent support to prevent further fatalities.