South Sudan secures 282,153 doses to combat cholera.

SOUTH SUDAN – The Ministry of Health, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), has secured 282,153 doses of oral cholera vaccine (OCV) to combat cholera outbreaks in hotspot regions of South Sudan. 

The vaccination campaign is in response to a cholera outbreak officially declared in Renk, Upper Nile State.  

As of October 27, 2024, 49 cases had been reported, including 44 suspected cases and six confirmed ones. 

The vaccines, provided by the International Coordinating Group (ICG), which oversees the global cholera vaccine stockpile, will be used in a two-dose mass vaccination campaign.  

The effort will target Renk and Malakal Counties in Upper Nile State. To strengthen response efforts, additional vaccine doses will soon be distributed to other affected areas.   

According to the Ministry of Health, this vaccination drive is part of a broader strategy to prevent the spread of cholera, a severe but preventable diarrheal disease. 

UNICEF, with support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, facilitated the procurement and delivery of the vaccines. 

These vaccines will be deployed by sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions to protect vulnerable communities. 

Speaking on the initiative, South Sudan’s Minister of Health, Hon. Yolanda Awel Deng, emphasized that cholera prevention is a priority, particularly in regions identified for multisectoral interventions.  

She noted that the vaccination campaign serves as a critical first step toward implementing long-term solutions to the country’s water and sanitation challenges.   

Given the limited resources and ongoing humanitarian crises in South Sudan, a ring vaccination strategy will be implemented.  

This approach ensures the vaccine is prioritized for high-risk areas while simultaneously strengthening other measures, such as cholera surveillance, improved patient care, and public awareness campaigns.   

Dr. Humphrey Karamagi, WHO’s Representative to South Sudan, highlighted the collaborative efforts between WHO, the Ministry of Health, and partners.  

He explained that training rapid response teams, prepositioning diagnostic kits, and enhancing case management have bolstered preparedness to contain the outbreak.   

UNICEF’s Representative, Hamida Lasseko, further underlined the importance of addressing the root causes of cholera through improved access to safe water, sanitation, and behavior change initiatives. 

“Together, we can protect communities and build a healthier, more resilient future,” she affirmed. 

This comprehensive response reflects the collective commitment to tackling South Sudan’s recurrent cholera outbreaks, which continue to threaten children, women, and other vulnerable populations across the nation.

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