The government of Unity State says it has recorded a rise in suspected cholera cases across three counties over the past two days.

According to the State Minister of Health, Jal Puok Nhial, at least 51 patients showing symptoms consistent with cholera have been admitted to health facilities in Panyigiar, Bentiu, and Mayom counties.

The minister told Eye Radio on Tuesday that more than half of the cases—27 in total—were reported in the former Protection of Civilians (POC) site in Bentiu.

He added that 22 patients are currently receiving treatment at Bentiu State Hospital, while Mayom and Panyigiar counties have recorded one case each.

“A lot of cases are on the rise… in the past 24 hours we have recorded 51. In Mayom we have one case, Panyigiar has one case, Bentiu State Hospital has 22 and in former POC we have 27,” Minister Nhial said.

Minister Nhial said that cases in both the Bentiu IDP camp and the state hospital are being managed with support from Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), which is providing medical assistance on the ground.

He praised MSF for its ongoing response, saying the organization has helped save lives amid the outbreak, while also calling on the government to increase funding for the health sector to strengthen the capacity of health institutions to respond to disease outbreaks.

“We are appealing to the Ministry of Health to look into this matter critically and to our health partners to respond quickly… MSF is supporting us especially in Bentiu and POC. The government has to ensure that money is paid on time… we also appeal to our people to leave POC and IDPs and come back to rebuild their homes because POC is too congested.”

Nhial also appealed to residents of the former POC site to return to their homes, saying overcrowding and poor sanitation in the camp are contributing to the spread of disease.

Health authorities say surveillance and response measures are ongoing as efforts continue to contain the spread of the disease.