December 5, 2024 (MALAKAL) – The medical charity, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has expressed deep concerns over the rapidly escalating cholera outbreak in South Sudan’s Upper Nile State capital, Malakal. In a statement MSF said since the first suspected case was reported on November 5, the number of people affected has risen significantly, placing an immense strain on the limited response to date. According to the agency, a total of 737 cholera cases were reported in Malakal by December 3. “The situation in Malakal remains critical, and we are concerned that the outbreak is spreading to neighbouring areas such as Tonga and Kodok. MSF urgently set up the 100-bed cholera treatment centre (CTC) in Assosa and continues to provide critical medical care; however, significant gaps remain, especially in the number of functioning oral rehydration points (ORPs) and water and sanitation,” said Zakaria Mwatia, MSF head of mission in South Sudan. He added, “We have been stretched thin in our response as we have had to expand our efforts to address critical gaps in the ongoing response.” The outbreak, initially declared in Renk, Upper Nile State, on 28 October 2024, has spread to Malakal, Bentiu in Unity State, Aweil in Northern …

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