On a small bed in a hospital in Kassala State, eastern Sudan, Aisha Mohammed lies receiving the necessary medical solutions due to her symptoms of cholera, which was declared an outbreak in the country recently.
In Sudan, even before the outbreak of war in April 2023, cholera cases were recorded as a result of contaminated water or food, especially during the seasonal rainy season.
However, the continuation of the war for more than 16 months has led to the destruction of infrastructure and medical facilities and to a shortage of clean water, exposing the 48 million Sudanese to the possibility of contracting this disease, which may lead to death if not receiving appropriate treatment.
“I came here yesterday. I have severe diarrhea,” Aisha, who is receiving medical care in Wad al-Hilu in Kassala state, told AFP in a weak voice.
Health Minister Haitham Ibrahim announced on Saturday the outbreak of cholera, while heavy rains have been falling in the country for weeks, leading to the displacement of thousands of people and the emergence of a number of diseases, with an increase in cases of diarrhea, especially among children.
Ibrahim pointed out that Kassala and Gedaref states are the most affected by the epidemic.
The ministry later reported 556 infections, resulting in 27 deaths, especially in Kassala.
The minister attributed the cholera outbreak to “environmental deterioration and contamination of drinking water.”
Number of infections and deaths
On Friday, World Health Organization spokeswoman Margaret Harris told reporters that 11,327 cholera cases had been reported in Sudan, including 316 deaths. These cases were recorded by the Sudanese health ministry over nearly a year since the war began in April 2023.
Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by ingesting food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The disease causes severe diarrhea and dehydration that can lead to death within hours if left untreated.
Since April 2023, a war has been raging in Sudan between the army and the Rapid Support Forces.
Both sides have been accused of war crimes, including indiscriminate bombing of populated areas during a conflict that has left tens of thousands dead and displaced more than 10 million people, according to the United Nations.
Both sides have also been accused of looting and obstructing the distribution of humanitarian aid, as well as destroying the already fragile health system.
The vast majority of humanitarian operations have stopped at a time when the country is immersed in “one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent memory,” according to the United Nations.
polluted water
Wad Al-Hilo is located between the states of Kassala and Al-Qadarif, on the border with Eritrea and Ethiopia. Its population is estimated at about 350,000 people, most of whom work in agriculture.
Health official Adam Ali confirmed to the French Agency that cholera cases began arriving at the hospital on July 24, “and their number has reached 150 cases so far.”
He explained that “69% of the local population drinks directly from the river, which is polluted water,” referring to the Setit River, which passes through Wad Al-Hilu and originates in Ethiopia.
In front of Kassala Hospital, Hassan Al-Junaid, 49, sits with his sister, who was quarantined after contracting cholera.
He told AFP: “My sister has cholera and I am the only one accompanying her. I cannot go in with her, so I will stay here waiting for her.”
“I’m afraid I’ll get sick, and then I won’t find anyone to bring us medicine,” Al-Junaid says.