November 30, 2024 (GEDAREF) – A malaria outbreak has infected thousands of people in Sudan’s eastern Gedaref state, with nearly 5,000 cases recorded in a single week, health officials said on Saturday. The surge in cases prompted the Ministry of Health to launch a vaccination campaign on Nov. 4, targeting 15 areas in Gedaref and the Blue Nile region. The campaign has administered 186,000 doses of the vaccine so far. “The state is witnessing a significant increase in malaria infections due to environmental degradation and the spread of disease vectors, especially in Gedaref city,” Wijdan Abdel Bagi, director of malaria control programs at the state’s health ministry, told Sudan Tribune. Abdel Bagi reported 4,824 confirmed cases last week, noting that the actual number is likely higher as data from some health facilities is still pending. She warned that the situation is “more dangerous than dengue fever,” particularly due to the availability of “unregistered malaria drugs in pharmacies.” Abdel Bagi said that children are disproportionately affected by the outbreak. She highlighted the government’s efforts to combat the disease through vaccination and emphasized the severity of the situation, stating that “malaria ranks first among other diseases.” Malaria remains a significant public health …

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