NORTH KORDOFAN – North Kordofan state in Sudan continues to grapple with a worsening cholera outbreak, as health authorities recorded 63 new infections and three deaths on Monday. The outbreak, driven by acuate shortages of clean water and widespread power outages, has now reached a total of 6,419 reported cases and 460 deaths since it began.
The state’s capital, El-obeid, has seen a relative improvement in recent days, but infections are on the rise in western areas, especially in Sudari, near Bara. Officials attribute the surge in cases to the collapse of water services, caused by persistent electricity blackouts that have disrupted water pumping stations. Many neighborhoods have been left without access to clean drinking water, forcing residents to rely on unsafe sources that increase the risk of cholera and other waterborne illnesses.
While over 5,500 people have reportedly recovered, new daily infections continue to be recorded, highlighting ongoing challenges in containing the disease. In an attempt to curb the spread, local health authorities have launched a new cholera vaccination campaign in Al-Rahad locality. Previous rounds of vaccination had already been completed in El-Obeid and Khor Taqat earlier this year.
The cholera outbreak in North Kordofan is part of a broader health emergency across Sudan. According to the national Ministry of Health, thousands of cases have been documented in multiple states, including Khartoum, Gezira, Sennar, Northern State, South Darfur, and North Kordofan. The disease has spread rapidly in recent months, fueled by the collapse of infrastructure, mass displacement, and the near-total breakdown of public health services amid the ongoing war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
International humanitarian organizations have also raised alarms. Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) noted in a June 18 statement that cholera was now spreading across state lines, including into Darfur- where a large portion of the population is displaced and lacks access to sanitation and clean water. The group described the situation as “deeply concerning,” warning that overcrowded camps and unsafe living conditions are accelerating the epidemic.
The spread of cholera in conflict-affected regions has put additional strain on Sudan’s already weakened health system. Medical supplies remain limited, healthcare workers are overstretched, and many treatment centers are under-equipped. Humanitarian access is also restricted in several areas due to ongoing violence, further complicating outbreak response efforts.
Without urgent interventions to restore clean water supply,improve sanitation, and expand healthcare access, public health experts warn that Sudan’s cholera crisis could spiral further out of control. For now, vaccination campaigns and emergency response teams remain the frontline defense against worsening epidemic.
