Hundreds die from cholera as war rages in Sudan
More than 430 people have died from cholera in the past month, Sudanâs health ministry says, as civil war continues to ravage the country.
The number of infections has risen to about 14,000, it said in a statement.
It said it was doing all it can to âcombat cholera in the affected states, amid the rise in infectionsâ.
Getting treatment to those affected areas is hugely complicated by the conflict which has killed up to 150,000 people since it began last year, according to the US special envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello.
Medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported that they are âregularly obstructed by both warring parties, the humanitarian response remains far below what is neededâ.
Cholera is a fast developing and highly contagious disease. It can cause diarrhoea, dehydration and death, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
It is relatively easy to cure, but rapid treatment is essential.
Health Minister Haitham Mohammed Ibrahim declared a cholera outbreak in mid-August.
As well as the war, heavy rainfall and floods have also contributed to the cholera outbreak, compounded by crowding in displacement camps.
Esperanza Santos, MSF emergency coordinator for Sudan, said these elements had created a âperfect stormâ for cholera to spread.
In some areas schools, markets and stores have been told to close to curb the spread of the disease.
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