Latest news with #VibrioCholera
Zawya
5 days ago
- Health
- Zawya
Rainy season increases cholera threat in South Sudan
The ongoing rainy season in South Sudan is slowing cholera response efforts in some locations, raising concerns about further transmission and undermining progress the country has made so far in combating the outbreak. South Sudan experiences heavy rainfall between mid-July and October. The States of Jonglei, Unity, Upper Nile, Northern Bhar el Ghazal, Warrap, parts of Central Equatoria, and others experience seasonal flooding, resulting in massive displacement, and affecting the delivery of basic health services. The rainy season worsens access and sanitation, disrupts the shipment of medical supplies, hinders deployment of rapid response teams, and vaccination impedes efforts, making it difficult to protect communities and save lives. The country declared a cholera outbreak in October 2024, since then, the Ministry of Health with support from World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners, has mounted a comprehensive response, including deployment of rapid response teams, prepositioning medical supplies and coordination efforts across all levels to protect communities and safe lives. This is the longest cholera outbreak in the country's history, since independent in September 2011. As of 30 June 2025, South Sudan has reported a cumulative total of 77 555 suspected cases and 1 401 deaths these cases have been reported from 55 counties, across 9 States and all 3 Administrative areas. A cumulative total of 11 554 tested positive using the rapid diagnostic test kits (RDT), and an additional 424 cases had laboratory isolation of Vibrio Cholera. In response, the country has successfully conducted an oral cholera vaccination campaign, reaching over 6.9 million people in 40 Counties. affected counties, these campaigns have significantly slowed the spread of the outbreak and is estimated to have saved hundreds of lives with a total of 19,987 deaths averted. To support vaccination efforts, South Sudan secured over 8.7 million doses of oral cholera vaccines from the International Coordination Group (ICG) to protect communities, and deployment. the country has applied for additional doses. WHO has played a critical role by training over 2000 health workers and community members on various aspects of the response including case management, risk communication and community engagement, IPC/WASH, vaccination and surveillance. The organization has also supported establishment of 102 oral rehydration points (ORPs), 88 cholera treatment units. (CTUs) and 19 cholera treatment centers (CTCs) through implementing partners, which have significantly reduced fatalities. Over 175 Metric Tons of medical supplies have been distributed across the affected Counties. Additionally, WHO has conducted extensive water quality testing and provided treatment to the affected communities. Several factors have contributed to the outbreak, including high population density, population movement, limited access to water and sanitation facilities, open defecation, and poor hygiene practices, created a highly vulnerable situation that led to imported cases and local transmission. Mr Kereni Gong, Acting Director General, Unity State Ministry of Health highlighted the urgent need for interventions in response to the ongoing flooding, emphasizing the importance of immediate action to save lives of the flooding and call for urgent interventions to save lives 'Unity state is the epicentre of the current cholera outbreak. With support from WHO and other partners The State Ministry of Health managed to bring down the number of cases, but we need more support as we enter the rainy season, during which cases have already begun to rise. We are also aware that floods are coming from the southern part of Unity State which will further worsen the situation' he said Dr Humphrey Karamagi, WHO Representative in South Sudan, underscored the gravity of the situation and express gratitude on the effectiveness of the ongoing cholera response efforts: 'The scale of the current outbreak is unprecedented, the onset of the rainy season poses significant challenge in addition to the prevailing humanitarian crises' said Dr Karamagi 'Under the leadership of the Ministry of Health we have been able to protect the communities by mounting effective response including vaccinating over 7 million people, now Is the time to up our game in strengthening case management, surveillance and coordination to save lives.' Additional funding is required to contain the outbreak, as the rainfall poses the risk of transmission., WHO requires additional funding to bolster current operations by deploying swift response teams to newly identified hotspots, maintaining essential health services for affected communities, and procuring, shipping, and distributing more emergency supplies to support the ongoing response. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - South Sudan.
NDTV
17-06-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Odisha Alerts Districts Against Spread Of Cholera, Death Count At 11 So Far
Bhubaneswar: With 10 per cent of the samples testing positive for the deadly Vibrio Cholera virus, the Odisha government on Tuesday put all the 30 districts on alert against the spread of the water-borne disease which has so far claimed 11 lives and infected over 2,000 people across the coastal region. The disease, which broke out in the form of diarrhoea in Jajpur district on June 9, has so far spread to other districts including Dhenkanal, Bhadrak, Keonjhar and Cuttack. Some other districts have also reported sporadic cases of diarrhoea while samples collected from Jajpur detected the cholera virus. Speaking to media persons here, state Health and Family Welfare Secretary Aswathy S said cholera was found in 10 per cent of the total samples sent from different areas for testing. About 300 people were affected by diarrhoea in these districts on Tuesday, besides the existing cases, she said. The spread of the disease has prompted the state government to put all collectors on alert asking them to take preventive measures at least for a week. Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling said, "The situation is under control and the government has been putting efforts to break the chain and stop the spread of the disease." Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja held a meeting with the district collectors through video conferencing in the presence of health department officers here on Tuesday. "We have issued instructions to all district collectors and district-level health officers to continue disinfection drives, cleanness activities, and mobilisation of Anganwadi & ASHA workers for at least a week," Aswathy said. However, the people with mild diarrhoea (early stage) have started visiting the hospitals, which is a positive sign, Aswathy said. Massive awareness campaigns for maintaining personal hygiene and drinking safe water are underway in the rural pockets of the five districts, she said, adding, the situation will be reviewed every day at state and district levels. The secretary further informed that the central team, which has been in Odisha for the past two days, again visited Jajpur district on Tuesday and they will have a meeting with Odisha government officials on Wednesday. Stating that the disease did not outbreak from one source, she said, "Therefore, we have to disinfect all sources." The cases of hospitalisation have come down. However, there is a possibility of re-infection. Therefore, people have been appealed to follow the health advisory of the government, Aswathy said. Four state-level teams have been sent to the five districts to monitor the field-level activities. About 220 diarrhoea patients are under treatment at different healthcare facilities in the worst-hit Jajpur district, said Collector P Anvesha Reddy. The district administration has ordered the closure of street food vendors and roadside hotels in the affected areas. Public feasts and food events are allowed only with permission, officials said. Hospitals are cleaned and disinfected every 30 minutes to stop the spread of infection. The officials further informed that eight medical specialists and 20 more mobile health teams have been deployed at the hospitals in the affected area of Jajpur. With the deployment of the new mobile teams, 40 mobile health teams of NHM are currently working in the district. Besides, 45 mobile health camps have been organised in the affected areas of Jajpur, they said. Earlier in the day, Raids were conducted at several restaurants in Bhubaneswar, Jajpur and Cuttack to assess the standard of hygiene amid the diarrhoea outbreak in parts of the state, officials said. A team led by Darpan's tahasildar Manas Tripathy conducted raids at eateries, sweet shops and hotels in Barchana town in Jajpur. "We are checking the hygiene and quality of food served in eateries. If stale food was found, we issued a warning to the owner. If they continue to serve unhygienic or stale food, we will seal their shop," he said. Similarly, the municipal authorities in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar have also started conducting raids after diarrhoea cases were detected in some pockets of the twin cities. Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation teams conducted raids at eateries in Kalinga Vihar and Delta Square areas. They collected food samples for testing and also fined some restaurant owners for not maintaining the quality, an official said. The Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) sealed two hotels in the Station Bazar after finding low-quality water and food served there, he said. Capital Hospital's Director Rupabhanu Mishra said a separate ward has been set up to treat diarrhoea patients.
Hindustan Times
17-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Odisha alerts districts against spread of cholera, 11 dead so far
Bhubaneswar, With 10 per cent of the samples testing positive for the deadly Vibrio Cholera virus, the Odisha government on Tuesday put all the 30 districts on alert against the spread of the water-borne disease which has so far claimed 11 lives and infected over 2,000 people across the coastal region. The disease, which broke out in the form of diarrhoea in Jajpur district on June 9, has so far spread to other districts including Dhenkanal, Bhadrak, Keonjhar and Cuttack. Some other districts have also reported sporadic cases of diarrhoea while samples collected from Jajpur detected the cholera virus. Speaking to media persons here, state Health and Family Welfare Secretary Aswathy S said cholera was found in 10 per cent of the total samples sent from different areas for testing. About 300 people were affected by diarrhoea in these districts on Tuesday, besides the existing cases, she said. The spread of the disease has prompted the state government to put all collectors on alert asking them to take preventive measures at least for a week. Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling said, "The situation is under control and the government has been putting efforts to break the chain and stop the spread of the disease." Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja held a meeting with the district collectors through video conferencing in the presence of health department officers here on Tuesday. "We have issued instructions to all district collectors and district-level health officers to continue disinfection drives, cleanness activities, and mobilisation of Anganwadi & ASHA workers for at least a week," Aswathy said. However, the people with mild diarrhoea have started visiting the hospitals, which is a positive sign, Aswathy said. Massive awareness campaigns for maintaining personal hygiene and drinking safe water are underway in the rural pockets of the five districts, she said, adding, the situation will be reviewed every day at state and district levels. The secretary further informed that the central team, which has been in Odisha for the past two days, again visited Jajpur district on Tuesday and they will have a meeting with Odisha government officials on Wednesday. Stating that the disease did not outbreak from one source, she said, "Therefore, we have to disinfect all sources." The cases of hospitalisation have come down. However, there is a possibility of re-infection. Therefore, people have been appealed to follow the health advisory of the government, Aswathy said. Four state-level teams have been sent to the five districts to monitor the field-level activities. About 220 diarrhoea patients are under treatment at different healthcare facilities in the worst-hit Jajpur district, said Collector P Anvesha Reddy. The district administration has ordered the closure of street food vendors and roadside hotels in the affected areas. Public feasts and food events are allowed only with permission, officials said. Hospitals are cleaned and disinfected every 30 minutes to stop the spread of infection. The officials further informed that eight medical specialists and 20 more mobile health teams have been deployed at the hospitals in the affected area of Jajpur. With the deployment of the new mobile teams, 40 mobile health teams of NHM are currently working in the district. Besides, 45 mobile health camps have been organised in the affected areas of Jajpur, they said. Earlier in the day, Raids were conducted at several restaurants in Bhubaneswar, Jajpur and Cuttack to assess the standard of hygiene amid the diarrhoea outbreak in parts of the state, officials said. A team led by Darpan's tahasildar Manas Tripathy conducted raids at eateries, sweet shops and hotels in Barchana town in Jajpur. "We are checking the hygiene and quality of food served in eateries. If stale food was found, we issued a warning to the owner. If they continue to serve unhygienic or stale food, we will seal their shop," he said. Similarly, the municipal authorities in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar have also started conducting raids after diarrhoea cases were detected in some pockets of the twin cities. Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation teams conducted raids at eateries in Kalinga Vihar and Delta Square areas. They collected food samples for testing and also fined some restaurant owners for not maintaining the quality, an official said. The Cuttack Municipal Corporation sealed two hotels in the Station Bazar after finding low-quality water and food served there, he said. Capital Hospital's Director Rupabhanu Mishra said a separate ward has been set up to treat diarrhoea patients.
