Cholera outbreak in Sudan: 172 dead

The Ministry of Health in Khartoum has reported a cholera outbreak in Sudan, noting 172 fatalities and 2,700 newly confirmed cases of infection within the past week. The Sudanese Ministry of Health indicates that approximately 90% of these cases have been reported in Khartoum State. Factors contributing to the propagation of the disease include disruptions in water and electricity services, inadequate sanitation practices, and limited availability of essential resources. Ongoing conflicts between the Rapid Support Forces and the national army since 2023 have resulted in significant infrastructural damage, thereby impeding the regular operation of essential services and complicating efforts to control the outbreak, as previously cautioned by the Sudanese Ministry of Health. The proliferation of cholera under these circumstances constitutes a substantial threat to public health. Cholera, an acute infectious disease of bacterial etiology, is caused by a toxin produced by Vibrio cholerae. The bacterium is present in potable water and rivers, and transmission primarily occurs through the ingestion of contaminated water or food.