Torit, South Sudan — May 2025
Acting State Health Minister Margret Idwa Okuyye confirmed the outbreak, stating that the South Sudan National Public Health Laboratory in Juba had tested and confirmed the presence of Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium that causes cholera. The declaration follows a sharp spike in cases of acute watery diarrhea and mounting concerns from local health workers.
“Following an increase in acute watery diarrhea cases and subsequent lab confirmation, the Ministry of Health officially declares a cholera outbreak in Greater Kapoeta,” Okuyye announced. “As of April 16, 2025, a total of 650 suspected cholera cases and 58 deaths have been reported.”
She emphasized that the outbreak meets both South Sudan’s national criteria and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for an official cholera declaration. The disease, which spreads rapidly through contaminated water and food, poses a significant threat in regions lacking adequate sanitation and healthcare infrastructure.
In immediate response, the Eastern Equatoria State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with humanitarian partners, has activated an emergency task force. Health workers have been deployed to the most affected areas, medical supplies have been dispatched, and public health campaigns are underway to raise awareness and promote prevention.
“We urge all residents to take basic preventive steps—boil drinking water, wash hands with soap frequently, avoid raw food, and use latrines,” Okuyye said. She also stressed the importance of early reporting and seeking medical attention at the first sign of symptoms.
Dr. Kherbino Awat, Director of Kapoeta Civil Hospital, revealed that a number of the fatalities occurred due to delayed referrals and treatment. “Some patients were kept at home for too long, only arriving at health facilities when it was too late,” he explained. “After a slight decline in cases, we saw a sudden surge again this Friday.”
Dr. Awat warned the public against hiding suspected cholera patients at home, citing the risk of further household and community transmission. He encouraged residents to bring anyone showing symptoms of dehydration, vomiting, or watery diarrhea to health centers immediately for treatment.
Local officials and aid workers are also concerned about the possible spread of the disease to neighboring counties and across international borders due to the mobility of pastoralist communities. Cholera has historically been difficult to contain in South Sudan because of limited access to clean water, poor infrastructure, and weak health systems.
The United Nations and NGOs working in the area have pledged support, including water treatment supplies, oral rehydration solutions, and technical expertise to help stem the outbreak. However, they stress that long-term solutions must include investment in clean water infrastructure and public health education.
As the situation develops, authorities are urging calm but firm action. The public is being asked to cooperate with health officials and community mobilizers to prevent further loss of life and ensure the disease does not spiral out of control.
