Eastern Sudan is currently facing outbreaks of cholera and dengue fever. This comes as large groups of people are residing in densely populated camps due to ongoing clashes between the military and a paramilitary group. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported 162 suspected cholera cases, with 80 confirmed and 10 deaths in the Qadarif province, near the Ethiopian border.
Since mid-April, conflict has intensified between Sudan’s military and the paramilitary forces. Battles have erupted in the capital, Khartoum, and spread throughout the country. This has placed additional pressure on the nation’s healthcare system, which was already under strain.
Doctors Without Borders has set up facilities to treat cholera patients in Qadarif. The WHO and the U.N. refugee agency have also made improvements to the isolation center for cholera patients at Qadarif Teaching Hospital.
Past cholera outbreaks in Sudan have been severe. In 2017, the disease claimed 700 lives and affected about 22,000 people in less than two months. Neighboring Ethiopia reported a cholera outbreak in August 2022, with 20,000 affected and over 270 deaths.
Dengue fever is another concern in Sudan. Over 500 suspected cases have been noted, primarily in urban areas of Qadarif. The WHO believes the true number is greater, as many people opt for home treatments over hospital visits. The Sudanese doctors’ union has labeled the dengue outbreak a “health crisis”, reporting that many hospitals in Qadarif are filled with patients.
Further challenges come from the heavy rains and floods that have hit Sudan since July. Around 13,000 homes have been impacted, and over 72,000 people are affected. WHO highlights that, globally, factors like poverty and conflict, as well as weather changes, are contributing to cholera outbreaks.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has heavily impacted the nation’s infrastructure, including hospitals and medical facilities. The United Nations states that the conflict has resulted in the deaths of at least 5,000 people, with more than 12,000 injured. Additionally, over 5.2 million people have left their homes, with many seeking refuge in neighboring countries. Current estimates suggest that half of Sudan’s population, or 25 million people, need humanitarian aid. Approximately 6.3 million are in critical need.