Female anopheles freeborn is taking a blood meal from a human - courtesy

The Director-General of the Ministry of Health, Dr. John Rumunu said the mysterious disease linked to the death of one schoolgirl and the mass hospitalization of others in Torit, Equatoria State, is found to be malaria.

On October 10, authorities at Torit State Hospital reported the illness that left over 20 girls hospitalized at the facility with hallucinations.

Dr. Mustapha Lokuru, the Medical Director of Torit State Hospital said the patients received at the facility were aged between 7 and 22 years.

Dr. Rumunu, the head of Preventive Health Service told Eye Radio that all tests carried out by the state surveillance respond system have come out positive for malaria.

“The information has come through our integrated disease surveillance responds system, through the state surveillance officer, and our Director for EPNR Dr. Joseph Lasu received a comprehensive report from the state,” he said.

“Related to this, is a good number of those affected children tested positive for malaria but there is no cause for alarm. Everything is control.”

Malaria is endemic across South Sudan, and the leading cause of morbidity and mortality by a significant margin, placing 100% of the population at risk, according to Severe Malaria Observatory.

In 2021, South Sudan was among the 22 highest burden malaria countries in the world, accounting for 1.2% of all global malaria cases and likewise 1.2% of malaria deaths in 2021.