By Matik Kueth
The cholera outbreak gripping the Abyei Special Administrative Area (AAA) is intensifying, with cases now spreading far beyond the original epicenter in Amiet to multiple towns, including Abyei town and six other surrounding areas.
The cumulative number of cholera cases has climbed to 609, with eight confirmed deaths so far, according to Dr. Ayom Korchek Ayom, Minister of Health for AAA, in an interview with King Media on Wednesday.
“I think the number of cases, of cholera cases, I think, is still going up. Yesterday, the total cumulative case count was 609. This is the cumulative cases. Yes, and till now, the number of deaths is still 8 patients in the CTU. We are still receiving more cases. The number of cases daily reported have increased and come up high,” Dr. Ayom said.
Dr. Ayom expressed concern over the rapid geographical spread of the disease, which was initially concentrated in Amiet but has now reached Ammanabek, Bokshok, Mulmul, Jongyong, Abiemthoy, and Gongethiang Bial.
“Which means that the cases of cholera now are not becoming more. I think it’s becoming even in the Abyei town,” he stated.
Despite the spread of concern, health officials are cautiously optimistic as over 538 patients have already been discharged, and the mortality rate remains relatively low, though the minister warns that this can change rapidly if prevention efforts falter.
Sanitation challenges amid rainy season
With the rainy season in full swing, health officials are scrambling to curb the outbreak through hygiene and awareness campaigns. Dr. Ayom pointed to open defecation practices and contaminated water as key contributors to the crisis.
“As I mentioned before, most of the community are using the open places for [defecation], which is bad. Especially during the rainy season, it is difficult for the area to control the cholera outbreak,” he stressed.
To combat this, a general market cleaning initiative has been launched in Amiet, with similar efforts planned for Bokshok.
National response underway
In a crucial development, the national Ministry of Health has approved AAA’s emergency micro-plan, which includes the provision of additional medical supplies and a full-scale community vaccination campaign.
“This morning, we got a message from the national level, that our request for more supplies, and then, also, for general vaccination for whole community has been approved. We think this is the good news that we have this morning,” he emphasized.
A national team has already been deployed to assess water treatment needs in the affected areas, and further high-level visits are expected in the coming days.
Way forward
While health workers and partners have been commended for their immediate response and case management, Ayom emphasized that treatment alone will not end the outbreak.
Yesterday, MSF warned that the Cholera outbreak in AAA risks spreading further if water and sanitation conditions are not urgently improved.
Abyei’s health authorities declared the disease’s outbreak on June 11 following a continued rise in reported cases.
South Sudan has been grappling with a widespread cholera outbreak since September 2024, with cases reported across multiple states, including Unity, Jonglei, Upper Nile and Central Equatoria, which hosts the capital, Juba.
With coordinated efforts underway between local authorities, national teams, and international partners like MSF, the hope remains that this outbreak can be contained before it spirals further.