South Sudan faces continued health threats from cholera, polio and measles

Credit: WHO

South Sudan is facing continued public health threats from cholera, polio, measles and other diseases, while health authorities are maintaining preparedness for possible Ebola and Bundibugyo virus disease infections, according to a weekly health situation update covering Aug. 3-9.

Cholera remains one of the country’s highest-priority health emergencies. The country recorded 210 new cases during the week, with no reported deaths. Transmission remains active in six counties, particularly in Unity and Upper Nile states.

Rubkona in Unity state reported 160 of the new cases, while Renk recorded 28. More than 100 of the new infections were among internally displaced people in Rubkona, highlighting continued transmission in displacement sites amid poor water, sanitation and hygiene conditions.

Authorities and health partners have completed oral cholera vaccination campaigns in Mayom, Leer and Rubkona. Vaccination campaigns are planned for Fangak and Renk, while health agencies continue to intensify testing and water and sanitation measures in affected communities.

Polio is another growing concern. Two new circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1 isolates were detected during the reporting week — one from an acute flaccid paralysis case in Pibor County and another from environmental surveillance in Juba.

The report said South Sudan has recorded nine AFP-confirmed cVDPV1 cases and 11 linked isolates. Health authorities are considering expanding a planned subnational immunization campaign scheduled for Aug. 25-28 into a nationwide campaign following evidence of virus spread to Pibor and Tonj East.

Measles transmission also continues, with 15 new cases reported during the week. The country has recorded 748 suspected cases and 119 laboratory-confirmed cases cumulatively.

New outbreaks were confirmed in Aweil East and Aweil Centre in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, while investigations are continuing in Pariang, Rubkona and other areas.

Malaria cases, meanwhile, were lower than during the same period last year. South Sudan recorded 54,846 cases in week 32, compared with 92,720 during the corresponding week in 2025. Seven deaths were reported, compared with 30 a year earlier.

Despite the decline, the report raised concern over evidence of partial resistance to artemisinin, a key component of malaria treatment. Resistance markers were detected in samples from Bor and Juba, prompting calls for stronger drug-resistance monitoring and a national strategy to address the threat.

Mpox also remains active. Six new suspected cases were reported in Juba County, including one confirmed through laboratory testing. Six active cases were being monitored, five in Yambio and one in Juba.

South Sudan has recorded 129 confirmed mpox cases since February 2025, with two deaths. A national mpox vaccination plan has been finalized and is awaiting approval from the Ministry of Health.

The country is also maintaining preparedness for possible Ebola or Bundibugyo virus disease infections because of continued transmission in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.

No Ebola or Bundibugyo virus disease cases have been reported in South Sudan. More than 822,000 travelers have been screened at points of entry, with major border crossings accounting for most of the recent screenings.

Uganda declared its 2026 Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak over on July 28, but health authorities say continued transmission in Congo and cross-border movement remain risks for South Sudan.

In Jonglei state, the health and humanitarian situation remains particularly serious in Akobo West, where all eight health facilities have been closed since March.

The area recorded 2,864 health consultations during the reporting week, while Jonglei recorded 16,362 consultations across nine counties. The report also recorded a global acute malnutrition rate of 23% in Jonglei and Akobo West, above the 15% emergency threshold.

Health and humanitarian partners are calling for urgent support for outreach clinics, restoration of routine immunization services and supplementary vaccination campaigns, as well as continued delivery of medical and nutritional supplies to affected communities.