South Sudan intensifies efforts to combat cholera outbreak with vaccination campaigns

SOUTH SUDAN— The Ministry of Health in South Sudan, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners, has launched oral cholera vaccination campaigns in January 2025 in four high-risk counties—Malakal, Juba, Renk, and Rubkona

This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to combat a worsening cholera outbreak in the country.

The vaccination drive comes just months after the Ministry secured 282,153 doses of the oral cholera vaccine (OCV) to target hotspot regions, including Renk in Upper Nile State.

With additional support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, approximately 4 million vaccine doses have been approved for distribution, and around 910,000 doses have already been administered in the four counties, achieving a coverage rate of over 90%.

South Sudan has been grappling with a cholera outbreak since October 2024, and the situation continues to deteriorate.

 As of January 15, 2025, the country has reported about 21,000 suspected and confirmed cases and 367 deaths.

Alarmingly, over a quarter of these cases were recorded in the last week of December alone.

The case fatality ratio stands at 1.8%, exceeding the WHO’s target of keeping it below 1%.

Cholera cases have been reported in 31 of the country’s 80 counties across seven states and one administrative area.

Rubkona County remains the hardest hit, accounting for 47% of total cases, followed by Juba County at around 10%.

The influx of refugees and returnees escaping the conflict in neighboring Sudan has further increased the risk of infectious disease outbreaks like cholera, putting immense strain on South Sudan’s already fragile healthcare system.

Renk County, the primary entry point for refugees, has reported around 550 suspected and confirmed cholera cases and three deaths, representing nearly 4% of the national caseload.

Hon. Yolanda Awel Deng, South Sudan’s Minister of Health, commended healthcare workers for their dedication and urged communities to get vaccinated and follow precautionary measures. “The vaccine is lifesaving,” she emphasized.

WHO has been instrumental in supporting the cholera response by providing essential medical supplies, including treatment kits, cholera beds, rapid diagnostic tests, and personal protective equipment. These supplies can treat up to 4,700 cases.

Dr. Humphrey Karamagi, WHO’s Representative in South Sudan, highlighted that vaccination is only one part of the solution.

WHO has established a 50-bed cholera treatment center at Juba Teaching Hospital and deployed rapid response teams to 11 priority counties to provide critical case management and help bring the outbreak under control.

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