12 suspected cases of cholera recorded in Unity State

By Chondok Stephen Magei

The Ministry of Health in Unity State has reported 12 suspected cases of cholera in the state.

The Ministry of Health’s acting Director General, Stephen Nyieth Duoth told Juba Echo TV that his ministry has carried out a rapid sample test that confirmed 12 cases of cholera.

However, he says the rapid sample test is always not conclusive, adding that the samples have now been sent to Juba for another round of tests.

“As I am talking to you now, we have already 12 suspected cases of cholera and among the 12 suspected cases, 8 cases are from Bentiu Internally displaced persons camp, 2 suspected cases from Rubkona town and 2 suspected cases were from Bentiu town and all of them were admitted waiting for juba to declare the final results.” Said Unity State’s Health Ministry’s Acting Director General, Stephen Nyieth Duoth.

In November, South Sudan’s Health Ministry and the World Health Organization declared a cholera outbreak in Renk, a town at the border between South Sudan and Sudan that is being used as a transit center for those fleeing violence from Sudan.

WHO says no one has died so far as a result of the cholera outbreak in Renk.

Unity State is experiencing one of the worst floodings in the country and many residents are sheltering in internally displaced persons camps protected by dykes erected by the United Nations

“The suspected cholera patients were admitted in MSF Holland Hospital in Bentiu IDPs camp, and some were admitted in Bentiu state Hospital, we have prepared enough isolation centers since cases of cholera outbreak was declared in Renk County.” Duoth told Juba Echo in an interview.

The State Health Ministry says it is doing all it can to contain the disease. The ministry says it has this week started coordinating with other health partners to conducted door to door cholera awareness messages in Bentiu town, Bentiu IDPs camp and Rubkona town.