Cholera-Bentiu-12-2024-21 – MSF teams and patients are seen at the MSF-supported Cholera Treatment Center (CTC) in Bentiu State Hospital in Rubkona County of Unity State. (Photo: Gale Julius Dada/MSF).

The Ministry of Health in Unity State has received 225,000 doses of cholera vaccines to contain the dire outbreak in which more than 7,000 cases and 157 related deaths were recorded.

The cholera outbreak first declared in October 2024 has rapidly spread across South Sudan with more than 13,000 cases and 200 deaths – as Unity recorded the highest number of cases.

John Mut Bol, Director General in the state Ministry of Health, said the number of suspected cases stand at 7,496 with 157 related deaths as of January 1.

In an interview with Eye Radio, Mr. Bol said the state health ministry has received 225,000 cholera vaccines yesterday from the national ministry of health.

He however stated that the supply might only cover the epicenter of the outbreak in Bentiu, Rubkona and the Protection of Civilians (POC).

“These vaccines will only cover Bentiu town, Rubkona and the PoC. It will not really reach to other places that are far from Bentiu that are affected by the disease,” he said.

Mut appeals to partners for more supplies to cover the outskirt of the state, where he said the cases have started to shoot.

“We really urge the partners and also the national ministry of health to push for more vaccines so that other counties like Panyijar, Koch and Mayom can also receive some consignment of these vaccine.”

“It’s actually good to also contain the spread of the disease in these other places before the spread of the disease worsens or deteriorate because when it goes to the level that we saw in Rubkona and Bentiu, it will really cost a lot of lives.”

The health official said the epicenters in Rubkona and Bentiu are starting to report declining number of new infections while the outbreak is increasing in the rural areas.

On December 31, 2024, United States Embassy in Juba said it was joining force with humanitarian partners – through U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) – to help address the ongoing cholera outbreak in South Sudan.

In a press statement, the U.S. Embassy said it was providing funding to UN agencies and medical charity MSF to deliver emergency water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services and provide life-saving medical care.

Other priority measures include supporting vaccination campaigns, provision of treatment kits and diagnostic tests, and raising public awareness to curb the spread of cholera.

South Sudan is reported to have some of the worst health indicators in the world. According to Health Pooled Fund, access to healthcare service remains a challenge for many communities in South Sudan, and even reaching a health facility does not guarantee access to appropriate care.

According to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), persistent chronic gaps in healthcare, funding cuts, dire water and sanitation conditions and gaps in other essential services in South Sudan have created the perfect conditions for cholera to spread.

MSF stated that the outbreak is getting worse for people living in IDPs camps who have faced appalling conditions for many years, which have continued to deteriorate as donor funding has diminished.