Sudan’s months-long cholera outbreak has killed at least 699 people and infected more than 24,600, according to the Sudanese Ministry of Health.
As of Nov. 15, the ministry reported 24,604 confirmed cholera cases across 11 of Sudan’s 18 states, with the outbreak continuing to spread despite efforts to control it.
A recent report on cholera interventions, issued by the ministry on Nov. 15, noted that while infection rates have increased in some regions, such as Al-Jazeera, Sennar, and White Nile, they have decreased in others, including Kassala, Khartoum, River Nile, Northern, and Gedaref states. The number of people seeking care in isolation centers has also declined in some areas.
Health officials have cited the ongoing conflict, which has devastated the country for over 18 months, as a major factor exacerbating the outbreak. The war has led to severe shortages of medical supplies and equipment, which has hampered efforts to contain both cholera and other diseases.
The cholera outbreak has been particularly severe in areas affected by violence. Following attacks by the Rapid Support Forces on villages in East Al-Jazeera, hundreds of families were displaced to New Halfa, where they are now living in overcrowded conditions with limited access to sanitation and healthcare.
In New Halfa, parts of the Faculty of Health Sciences building have been repurposed to isolate and treat cholera patients. However, health services remain inadequate, and conditions for displaced people are dire.
“The health situation here is very poor, frankly,” said Imad al-Din Maki, a displaced person from East Al-Jazeera. “More than 300 people — or about 250 people — share three bathrooms that are almost primitive.”
Despite efforts by the Ministry of Health and local humanitarian organizations, the crisis continues to escalate. The federal government officially declared the cholera outbreak on Aug. 12, 2024.
The ongoing conflict and the displacement of millions have strained Sudan’s already fragile healthcare system, and health officials warn that without significant intervention, the cholera outbreak could worsen.
