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 confirmed that cholera cases have now risen to 2,184 with 31 deaths across South Sudan since the outbreak was declared on 28th October 2024.

The data provided by Undersecretary in the Ministry of Health Dr. Harriet Pasquale, shows that an additional 439 people have been infected in four days.

Dr. Pasquale stated in an interview with Eye Radio on Tuesday that the fatality rate of the waterborne disease is slightly higher at 1.4 percent. This means around 200 cases and 7 deaths are recorded every 24 hours.

The public health official said the cholera outbreak has been reported in 18 counties in six states across the country.

“So far, we have received an accumulated number of 2,184 cases across 18 counties in the country, and 31 deaths,” said the scientist.

“This means the outbreak’s death rate is about 1.4% which is slightly high. We reported just within 24 hours about 195 cases and seven deaths. So this is the situation.”

Cholera is a deadly disease transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated food or water, leaving patients with severe acute watery diarrhea and it can kill within hours if left untreated, according to WHO.

The Ministry of Health declared an outbreak on 28th October with thousands of cases so far and rapid spread that has prompted the government to describe the situation as significant public health challenge.

At a press briefing, Health Minister Yolanda Awel Deng said they set up an incident management system (IMS) to ensure a multi-sectoral cholera response and prevention including enhancing surveillance and laboratory capacity.