September 23, 2024 (PORT SUDAN) — A cholera outbreak has forced authorities in the town of Al-Dabbah in northern Sudan to close schools, markets, and food establishments as the deadly disease spreads across the war-torn country. The ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces has devastated the healthcare system, leaving most hospitals out of service and pharmacies looted. This has created fertile ground for the rapid spread of cholera, particularly in areas with limited access to clean water and sanitation. The Northern State's Ministry of Health reported 307 cases and 18 deaths in Al-Dabbah alone. The local authorities responded by closing all schools and food vendors until further notice, and markets are now operating on restricted hours. Residents like Amina Saleh, whose daughter is hospitalized with cholera, are struggling to cope with the crisis. Overcrowded isolation centers and shortages of medical supplies paint a grim picture. Saleh pleaded for the warring factions to allow humanitarian aid to reach those in need. The situation is similarly dire in Umbada, a suburb of Omdurman, where the local emergency room reported 800 cholera cases and 20 deaths in the past week. Malnutrition is also rampant, with 400 cases reported …
The post Cholera outbreak ravages Sudan, forcing school closures appeared first on Sudan Tribune.
