WHO's doctor, Dr. Abraham Adut administering Cholera vaccine to a client in Bentiu, Unity state / Photo by WHO

The Ministry of Health has declared a cholera outbreak in Rubkona County of Unity State.

This comes after the health authorities confirmed at least 31 cases and one death from cholera since mid-April.
All cases have been discharged.

In a press statement early on Sunday, the authorities and partners said they are conducting further case searches in the households and neighborhoods to identify additional cholera cases.

This is after reports of a steady rise in acute watery diarrhea cases were reported in both the Bentiu and Rubkona IDP camps, and among the host community.

The outbreak in Unity has been linked to poor hygiene in the overcrowded camps and lack of access to safe drinking water and improved sanitation facilities.

Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with Vibrio cholerae bacteria.

People can get sick when they swallow food or water contaminated with cholera bacteria and the risk is high during the rainy season.

The Ministry of Health urges the public to observe all precautionary measures to prevent community transmission.

The measures including drinking boiled or chlorine-treated water, using latrine, washing hands with soap and water after using the latrine and before eating, washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly with clean water before eating them and keeping your environment clean at all times.