15 new cases of Cholera reported in Bentiu

15 new cases of Cholera reported in Bentiu

The national ministry of health and the World Health Organisation have confirmed 15 new cases of cholera at a Bentiu-based Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp.

The report brings the total number of infections to 255 since the outbreak of the disease in May 2022.

According to the weekly statistics released by the ministry of health and the World Health Organization, the confirmed cases were from week 27.

The epidemiological description that is reported in week 27 indicates that during week 27 (ending July 10, 2022), 15 new cases have been confirmed and 14 samples have been shipped to the national public health laboratory.

“Of the 15 cases, 14 were reported from Bentiu IDP camp and 1 from Bentiu town in Rubkona County 11 (73.4%) of the cases were females, while their male counterparts accounted for 4 (26.6%),” notes a report seen by The City Review during the weekend.

“7 (46.6%) of the new cases reported were previously vaccinated, and 8 (53.3%) were not vaccinated.”

The health officials stated that the common present signs and symptoms included watery diarrhoea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps.

“14 cases had mild dehydration, and 1 had severe dehydration. “The most affected age groups were 0–4 years with 6 (40%) and 20–49 years with 5(33.3%).”

As of July 10, 2022, there are no deaths reported or admissions to the cholera treatment units.

On June 15, the ministry of health and its partners launched an oral cholera vaccination campaign.

in Juba County, Central Equatoria State and other states across the country.

The campaign, which started on Tuesday, was part of a response strategy to prevent a cholera outbreak in the designated hot spot area.

According to the reports, 398,516 (63%) individuals were vaccinated in Juba during the first round of the oral cholera vaccination campaign.

“In Leer, 64033 (85%) were vaccinated during the first round, while 35375 (47%) were vaccinated during the second round of the campaign,” the report reads.

But the situation update as of the time shows the current transmission remains sporadic, but the risk of transmission to at-risk counties remains high due to population movements, the presence of IDPs, persistent flooding, and low access to safe water and hygiene and sanitation facilities.

Health officials also say that there is inadequate funding to implement all planned activities. The report also highlighted challenges such as the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) not receiving results of the 15 suspected V. cholera isolates referred for sequencing to the Pasteur Institute-Paris, France.

“Delay in receiving cholera outbreak data from the subnational level-line lists not received from some facilities; inadequate access to improved sanitation facilities that are below the sphere standards in all the sectors of Bentiu IDP camp and Rubkona town IDPs.”

The inadequate safe and clean water supply poses risk for surface water consumption within the camp and for sub-optimal community engagement and risk communication in affected and high-risk populations on cholera prevention and control.

The ministry of health strongly advised the public to take all precautionary measures to avoid community transmission.

The cholera guidelines state that you should wash your hands with soap and water after using the latrine, before handling and eating food, and before drinking water that has been treated with chlorine or boiled.

The public is urged to cook food properly, keep it covered, eat it hot, thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables, and use latrines.

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