Hepatitis crisis deepens in Western Equatoria as cases surge in Yambio
Dr. Peter David Siro, the Azande Kingdom’s Health Minister said 231 of the people tested last month turned positive
By Emmanuel Mandella
Health officials in the Azande Kingdom have raised the alarm over a sharp increase in hepatitis cases in Yambio County of Western Equatoria State.
Medics warned of a looming public health crisis unless urgent measures are taken.
Dr. Peter David Siro, the Azande Kingdom’s Health Minister said last month the Kingdom launched a mass testing and vaccination campaign against Hepatitis B and C, saying of the 1,300 people tested, 231 were confirmed positive.
In his result breakdown of infections, 113 were women, 98 men, and 20 children.
“These numbers are worrying, and they show the silent spread of hepatitis across our communities, our resources are stretched thin yet the stakes couldn’t be higher. Without immediate support, we may lose more lives,” Dr. Siro told The City Review on Monday in Yambio.
However, despite the campaign’s progress, the fight against Hepatitis faces serious challenges, including a shortage of testing kits to meet rising demand, transport difficulties in reaching remote payams and a lack of treatment centers.
The official also highlighted the lack of a vaccine for those who tested negative.
Health workers warned that without intervention, hundreds of untreated patients could suffer severe liver complications.
This is not the first warning from Western Equatoria, as in April this year, authorities in Ezo County also raised concerns about hepatitis infections.
A report published by The City Review revealed that dozens of people had tested positive, underscoring the disease’s growing grip across the state.
The toll of Hepatitis is already being felt, with the deaths of several energetic and respected figures this year alone in the state, among those who died from the hepatitis infections are, Charles Wote, a former Eye Radio journalist, Ustaz Morris Denis, former manager of Sama FM in Juba and Isaac Miskin, a football coach and youth leader from Yambio.
Their passing has sent shockwaves across the community, highlighting how the disease is cutting down people in their most productive years.
Experts said Western Equatoria’s struggle reflects a wider national problem. South Sudan has seen recurring hepatitis outbreaks in several areas.
In 2023, Wau reported a deadly hepatitis E outbreak, while in 2024, Abyei declared a hepatitis emergency following a surge of returnees, and in early 2025, a study in Juba revealed that over 11% of women of reproductive age tested positive for hepatitis B, with many unaware of their condition.
These figures suggest hepatitis is silently spreading across the country.
“Hepatitis is a silent killer you don’t see it until it is too late, we must act now. That means test kits, vaccines, treatment centers, and above all, awareness. If we do not move quickly, the cost will be lives,” Dr. Siro Peter warned.
Dr. Peter David called for increased supply of test kits, vaccines to expand coverage and establishment of treatment centers in Yambio and other hotspots.
