South Sudan Cholera Epidemic: 31 new cases Recorded as death toll rises to 496

JUBA – South Sudan’s Ministry of Health said on Monday it had recorded 31 new cases of cholera in the ongoing outbreak, despite a nationwide vaccination campaign launched earlier this year to combat the epidemic, which has been spreading since October 2024.

Mabior Kiir Kudior, Chief of Planning and Information at the South Sudan Public Health Emergency Operation Center, said the new cases were reported in the states of Panyijar, Awerial, and Yirol East, which have remained high-risk areas despite the ongoing immunization efforts.

“There is an increase of cases in Panyijar (31 cases), Awerial, and Yirol West,” Kudior said in an exclusive interview with Sudans Post.

He added that plans were underway to extend the vaccination campaign to other areas, including Twic East in Jonglei State, following successful immunization campaigns in Renk, Malakal, Juba, Aweil, and Mayom counties.

“Plans to carry out a mass cholera vaccine in Twic County of Jonglei State are underway for a full response, targeting about 45,000 people,” he said.

“We are also done with oral cholera vaccination for Renk, Malakal, Bor, Aweil, Juba, Mayom and expect to commence the one for Gwit,” he added.

South Sudan launched the cholera vaccination campaign in January after receiving more than 1 million doses of vaccine from the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI).

Authorities said the outbreak has now claimed 496 lives since it was first detected in October 2024. The cumulative total of cases stands at 28,900 after nearly four months.