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 Minister of Health in Unity State said more than 6,400 suspected cases of cholera and 125 deaths have now been recorded in various parts of the state as of 26^th December as health facilities struggle to manage the crisis without vaccines.

The cholera crisis first declared in October 2024 has rapidly spread across South Sudan especially in displacement camps – with Unity State reporting the highest number of cases.

The state health minister Kai Riek said they have not received cholera vaccines from the national government despite the dire situation.

He said 447 suspected cases and 8 deaths on December 25 alone, while 212 cases were registered on the next day. The health minister said there were 686 actives cases at the time of writing this story.

In an interview with Eye Radio, Riek said the absence of vaccine has affected efforts of health authorities and partners in controlling the spread of the epidemic.

“If you come to cumulative, that is from the day 1 up to today, suspected cases from day 22 another is 6,458. Then those confirmed through rapid diagnosis is 3,642. Then death is 125. Then current active cases are 686,” he said.

Mr. Riek called on the state populations to observe good hygiene by boiling water, avoiding open defecation and refraining from eating cold food.

He also cautioned them to minimize random movements during the outbreak, adding that the waterborne disease is escalating because of the movement of displaced people.

“For those who are in Bentiu and Rubkona, and the counties, that they should boil the water, because they are fetching water from the stagnant water. Then they drink it.”

“The same water, they wash their clothes with it. So, also, open defecation that these things are not helping. Please try to observe the preventive measures that were issued by the government of the Unity State.”

“But then this unnecessary movement, you move from here to there, you move from here to there.  You know very well cholera started in Renk. Then it is spread to other seas.”

According to Minister Riek, the 225,000 vaccines promised by health partners will not even be enough for the population.