South Sudan Declares Cholera Outbreak in Renk Transit Camp

South Sudan’s Ministry of Health has declared a cholera outbreak in the Renk transit camp, located in the northern Upper Nile State, which is currently sheltering refugees fleeing conflict from Sudan, Xinhua reported yesterday.

Health Minister Yolanda Awel Deng confirmed 49 cholera cases among the refugees, returnees, and host community.

The ministry acknowledged the challenging conditions in the camp, including overcrowding and inadequate sanitation, which contribute to the outbreak. In collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Ministry of Health is taking measures to manage reported cases and minimize the risk of further spread. Awel urged the community to practice safe hygiene behaviors, such as handwashing and proper food handling.

The outbreak declaration follows reports of 44 suspected cases and six confirmed cases on October 23. The first suspected case was identified on September 28. WHO representative Humphrey Karamagi emphasized the importance of public awareness and resource mobilization to combat the outbreak effectively. South Sudan currently hosts over 810,000 refugees and returnees due to ongoing conflicts in Sudan.