Malakal Protection of Civilian Site in Upper Nile State. (Photo: MSF).

The Minister of Health in Upper Nile State says the confirmed cases of cholera infection have risen to 220, days after the health authorities declared an outbreak of the waterborne disease in the state.

Buyini Ernest says the 220 cases were registered in both Malakal town and at the protection of civilians site in the area.

The national Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization had declared Malakal town and Malakal displacement camps as cholera hotspot areas this week.

On Tuesday, March 7 2023, at least 179 cases were registered with one death in Malakal County, in the state.

Minister Ernest said the new cases were recorded in the protection of civilians’ site and Makala town.

He says 150 infected cases were registered at the Children’s Hospital in Malakal town while 50 cases at the protection of the civilians’ site in the area.

“In our report yesterday (Thursday), the infection rate rose to 220 cases of cholera, including 150 of different ages, in the children’s hospital in Malakal town, and inside the Protection of Civilians site POCs, we have 70 infected people,” the minister said.

Minister Ernest said following the outbreak, a team of experts from National Ministry of Health and WHO were deployed to Malakal to conduct an in-depth outbreak investigation and support response activities.

“We have health personnel on the ground and we have received support from the national government, including medical equipment, medicines and logistical support, people have arrived and we are working to control the situation.”

The confirmed cases suffered from watery diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration and were admitted and managed at MSF Cholera Treatment Facilities in both POC and Malakal hospital.

The outbreak in Upper Nile has been linked to poor hygiene, lack of access to safe drinking water and poor sanitation facilities in the overcrowded camps.

Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with vibrio Cholerae bacteria.

People can get sick when they swallow food or water contaminated with Cholera bacteria and the risk is high during the rainy season.