Back From The Dead – A New Fight In Sudan Against A Familiar Disease

Conflicts and wars can significantly impact public health, particularly in countries with already fragile healthcare systems. Populations affected by conflict often face displacement, poor living conditions, and limited access to clean water, sanitation, and healthcare services, which can increase the risk of disease outbreaks.

One outbreak in particular that made its way back to Sudan after being defeated was Cholera.

What is Cholera?

Cholera is a dangerous infectious viral disease targeting the intestines, causing heavy diarrhea that leads to severe dehydration and, ultimately, death. With estimates of up to 4 million cases a year worldwide and an estimated up to more than 140 thousand deaths a year worldwide. Cholera is widely known to be a global threat. 

First Fight Against Cholera

Cholera was first reported in Sudan in August 2019, and an outbreak was also declared. Two months after the first reported case, the Federal Ministry of Health announced its vaccination campaign against Cholera, and a war against the virus was declared.

The vaccination campaign was fierce; more than 1.6 million were targeted in several states and in two rounds. The first round began on 12 Oct 2019, with the second round six weeks later on 17 Nov 2019. With a total of 346 reported cases and the last case reported in mid-December 2020, the Federal Ministry of Health declared the eradication of Cholera, a battle that was fought well.

Back From The Dead

Since the conflict started in mid-April 2023, an already deteriorated healthcare system has also taken a significant hit. 70% of hospitals in Khartoum were already out of service, while the rest were either partially working or under immense pressure. A surge of internal displacement that is now the largest globally made it very clear that Cholera was bound to resurface again.

And so it did, as the healthcare system collapsed, and with several million IDPs scattered in areas with little infrastructure and readiness that could host, Cholera came back. This time, again, people were presented with a new crisis. As of December 2023, nine months into the conflict, the number of suspected cases was over 8000, with 224 related deaths in nine states.

A New War Begins

A new fight has just begun, and despite the ongoing conflict, A vaccination campaign was launched in early December 2023, starting with around 2.9 million doses and targeting 3 states. 

One Last Note 

Overall, the re-emergence of Cholera in Sudan is a distressing reminder of the impact of conflict on healthcare systems and public health. The international community must continue to support Sudan in its efforts to control the outbreak and support its healthcare system during these challenging times.