Juba, 23 June 2015: The Minister of Health in the Republic of South Sudan, Dr. Riek Gai Kok has declared an outbreak of cholera in Juba County, South Sudan.

Addressing a press conference in Juba, where he made the declaration, Dr. Kok said on 1 June 2015, a cholera case was confirmed in UN House Protection of Civilians (PoC) site after Vibrio cholerae inaba was isolated from a stool sample. This was followed by subsequent cases.

“The confirmation of the cases automatically triggers the activation of a full-scale response involving all relevant sectors and partners in line with International Health Regulation (IHR 2005) requirements,” Dr. Kok said.

At the time of the declaration, 170 suspected cholera cases including 18 deaths, with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 10% had been reported.   

Addressing the same press conference, WHO Country Representative in South Sudan, Dr. Tarande Manzila commended the Ministry of Health for declaring the outbreak as the announcement enables the public to take prevention measures, helps health partners to take the necessary steps to contain the outbreak and unlocks the required resources for fighting the epidemic.

“We commend the effort of the Ministry of Health for making this event public because one of the most important measures in containing any cholera epidemic is community awareness. This enables people to take prevention measures, which is the simplest way to curtail an outbreak,” he said.

According to Dr. Kok, immediate response actions effected by the Ministry of Health, with support from WHO and health partners, include enhancing surveillance and case management; activating the national and state cholera taskforce committees and the corresponding sub-committees to coordinate a comprehensive response; supporting designated treatment centres with the minimum supplies for cholera case management, water sanitation and hygiene to ensure that suspect cholera cases receive optimal care and the recommended treatment; activating and disseminating the hotline for prompt reporting and investigation of suspected cholera cases; and intensifying risk communications on cholera prevention and control using appropriate media channels.

Cholera treatment centres (CTC) have been established in Juba Teaching Hospital and the International Medical Corps (IMC) clinic in UN House PoC to manage suspected and confirmed cholera cases, while the Health Cluster has mobilized necessary requirements for a cholera treatment centre in UN House PoC, where most cases have been reported, in case of a full-scale outbreak. Satellite sites for setting up cholera treatment centres have been designated at Juba Military Hospital, Gumbo, Gurei, Nyakuron and Munuki in Juba County.

Prevention efforts continue in order to prevent the outbreak from spreading further within Juba and to other states.

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For more information, please contact:

Matilda Moyo, Communications Consultant, WHO Surge Team
Mobile: +211 955 036 439 | Email: whossinfo [at] gmail.com (whossinfo[at]gmail[dot]com) or  matilda.moyo [at] gmail.com (matilda[dot]moyo[at]gmail[dot]com)