Yolanda Awel Deng, Minister of Health - Courtesy

The national Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization on Tuesday declared a cholera outbreak in Uppile State capital Malakal.

The waterborne disease outbreak has been reported inside the Malakal Protection of Civilian Site and Malakal town.

It is not clear how many cases have been confirmed or suspected to prompt the outbreak declaration.

Health Minister Yolanda Awel said the government and partners will roll out cholera vaccines in the hotspots area soon.

Speaking on the national television – SSBC on Tuesday, Minister Awel called on the public to observe critical preventive guidelines.

“Today we have declared a cholera outbreak in the Malakal area, especially at the Malakal town and PoC,” she said.

Yolanda warns that as the rainy season approaches, the country risks more cholera hotspots.

“The public must follow the preventive measures closely and faithfully, because that is the best way to prevent such type of disease from spreading. Additionally, we are going to embark on an awareness campaign soon.”

“Please come out and make sure you take the cholera vaccination, you are protecting yourselves, your families, and your communities.”

“As for mothers, feeding your children a healthy diet will boost their immunity so that when they are exposed to these bacteria, they will not be highly impacted. Finally, the public need not punish but follow preventive measures like boiling water.”

The first outbreak was declared in May 2022 in the Rubkona displacement camp in Unity State, the largest IDP camp in the country hosting over a hundred thousand people.

The state minister of health Stephen Tot said previously that the outbreak was due to the poor hygiene at the internally displaced person camps.