Thousands of IDPs at risk of cholera outbreak in S. Sudan’s Jonglei

[Elisabeth Janaina]

Thousands of IDPs at risk of cholera outbreak in S. Sudan’s Jonglei

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June 2, 2017 (JUBA) – Thousands of South Sudanese displaced people in
Jonglei state are at risk from a cholera outbreak, warned the medical
group Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) on
Friday.

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Displaced people who fled from violence in Jonglei state capital Bor
queue outside a clinic run by MSF in Lakes state’s Awerial town on 2
January 2014 (Photo: AP/Ben Curtis)

"Malnutrition and suspected cases of cholera are escalating amongst
people sheltering in the bush near Pieri, South Sudan," said MSF in a
statement extended to Sudan Tribune.

The first cases of cholera were reported on 9 May after a general
increase in patients with watery diarrhoea among the IDPs who are in
desperately short of food, water and shelter.

"MSF has opened a treatment unit in Pieri, where teams have treated
more than 30 patients so far and set up seven rehydration points and a
number of chlorinated water points," further said the statement.

Last February, over 27,000 people fled their villages in Yuai and Waat
after clashes between the government troops and SPLM-IO rebel
fighters.

MSF’s local staff are now running three primary healthcare clinics
around Pieri, as part of the group’s efforts to support the IDPs.

Two weeks ago, MSF staff members reported a rise in malnutrition
levels amongst children under five.

’’32 percent of the children are suffering from general acute
malnutrition and 12 percent suffering from severe acute malnutrition,
which is life-threatening," said the medical group.

(ST)