Ministry of Health Undersecretary Dr. Harriet Pasquale speaks on Eye Radio's Dawn Show. November 13, 2024. (Photo: Awan Moses/Eye Radio).

The Ministry of Health has reported 493 cholera cases and 13 deaths in the past 24 hours across the country, with the majority of cases recorded in Rubkona, Unity State, according to the Ministry’s Undersecretary.

Dr Harriet Pasqual made this announcement on Friday, December 20, following reports from lawmakers in Jonglei State about the deaths of seven fishermen in Twic East County.

According to Dr. Pasqual, 28 counties across seven states in the country are already affected by the cholera outbreak.

On December 13, the ministry reported 6,000 cholera cases and 60 deaths nationwide, as the outbreak continues to strain public health resources.

First declared in October, the outbreak has rapidly spread, with increasing infections and fatalities, particularly in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Juba, Rubkona, and other parts of northern South Sudan.

Dr. Pasqual highlighted that Juba and Rubkona remain the primary hotspots for cholera transmission.

“Currently, we still have cholera spreading across the country cases, especially in Rubkona, more than 50% of cases are coming from Rubkona,” Dr Pasqual stated.

“In the last 24 hours alone, we 493 cases reported and 13 deaths out of this, 397 cases were from Rubkona with 6 deaths, so Rubkona and Juba are the current hotspots of transmission,” she said.

She emphasized that the Ministry of Health is closely monitoring the cholera outbreak across the country.

“We are monitoring, we are monitoring the outbreak across the country. So currently seven states are already affected by the cholera outbreak and more than I think we should be now at 27 or 28 counties affected,” Dr Pasqual said.

“We are monitoring across the country we have partners already supporting there on the ground and we still need to just give additional support to the team on the ground.”

Cholera is an acute diarrheal disease caused by ingesting contaminated water or food.

WHO recommends safe water, proper sanitation, good hygiene, and vaccination to prevent cholera outbreaks and infections.