Cholera spreading in Sudan: High death rates among children under 5
The ongoing conflict that started between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan on April 15, 2023 and diseases such as cholera spreading in the country pose a threat to children.
AYA IBRAHIM
Sudan – The humanitarian crisis due to the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan has been escalating. The Sudanese Ministry of Health declared a cholera epidemic on August 12, 2024, attributing the outbreak to environmental conditions and water pollution.
The cholera outbreak has caused high death rates among children under five, Sudanese experts told NuJINHA.
‘Death rates among children under five are high’
The watery diarrhea cases spread across Sudan, said Aya Khaled, a doctor in Sudan. “Symptoms include severe watery diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, muscle cramps, and rapid heart rate. Many of these cases have been transferred to hospitals in Khartoum. Examination is needed to diagnose. Some of the cases are diagnosed with a disease called Giardia and some with cholera. Cholera is characterized by a specific type of painless, watery diarrhea often described as rice-water stools, which is unlike other diarrheal illnesses that may cause significant abdominal cramps. Children under five are most affected by cholera and the death rates among children under five are high.”
‘War is the worst Arabic word’
The cholera outbreak began in the eastern province of Kassala, killing 22 people. Then it spread to five Sudan’s provinces. “War is the worst Arabic word,” said Salwa Ghaleb, a professor at University of Garden City in the Sudanese capital Khartoum. “Because it is destructive to society and the human soul, and it causes displacement and the spread of diseases with the lack of humanitarian aid. Dead bodies and polluted water increase the spread of diseases. Diseases can spread from conflict zones to safe areas, where displaced people take shelter.”
In August 2024, the Ministry of Health in Sudan's Northern State announced the discovery of 260 cases of a highly contagious bacterial skin infection called bacterial dermatitis. “This infection is contagious, spreading very fast.”
“The Northern State has suffered from heavy rains and floods caused by climate change,” said Engineer Salwa Sayed Jumaa, who was displaced to the Northern State from the capital Khartoum by the conflict between the SAF and RSF. “Heavy rains and floods have contributed to the spread of diseases such as cholera and conjunctivitis.”
