The new complex of South Sudan's main referral hospital /Lou Nelson/Eye Radio

The Ministry of Health has reported 6,000 cholera cases and 60 deaths, with the ongoing outbreak putting significant strain on public health efforts, according to a report presented at the Council of Ministers meeting on Friday.

The cholera outbreak, declared in October 2024, has spread rapidly, with increasing infections and fatalities, particularly in IDP camps and POC sites in Juba, Rubkona, and northern South Sudan.

At a cabinet meeting on Friday, Information Minister Michael Makuei described the situation as alarming and stressed the Ministry of Health’s call for the public to maintain hygiene and consume warm food to help prevent further spread of the disease.

“As you know very well, cholera is available nowadays in South Sudan. We have lost about 60 people who are dead, and now we have about 6,000 cases of cholera. Specifically, in the IDP camps, in the POCs, in Juba, Rubkona, and I will end up with these camps in northern South Sudan,” said Makuei.

“The message of the Ministry of Health is to keep your house clean, and don’t eat cold food, must eat warm food,” he stated.

The Ministry of Health reported a significant rise in cholera cases, with 2,184 cases and 31 deaths confirmed by November 18. An additional 439 infections were recorded in just four days.

The outbreak has mainly affected overcrowded IDP and POC camps, where poor sanitation and limited access to clean water make the disease spread faster.

The Ministry has increased awareness campaigns on hygiene and safe water practices.

In December 2024, the Ministry, with support from WHO, secured over 282,000 doses of oral cholera vaccine for a vaccination campaign in areas with high transmission rates.