Juba | سمير بول l The Mail Health February 6, 2025 - South Sudan's Ministry of Health confirmed the country's first case of monkeypox on Thursday, February 6, 2025. The patient is a 31-year-old Ugandan man who resides in the Kupuri camp in the Luri Payam in Juba.
In a press statement, Acting Minister of Health H.E. James Hoth Mai revealed that the patient began experiencing symptoms, including fever and itching, on January 22, 2025. The patient had previously traveled to Uganda, where monkeypox has been reported since 2024. The Ministry confirmed that the patient has been isolated at Gudele Hospital in Juba, where he is receiving the necessary medical care and follow-up.
The Ministry emphasized that health authorities in South Sudan have already implemented measures to prevent the spread of the disease, including isolation procedures and adhering to health protocols. They assured the public that the situation is being monitored closely and urged citizens to follow health guidelines and take precautions to avoid the disease's spread.
Juba, 28 October 2024—The Ministry of Health has declared a cholera outbreak today in Renk, Upper Nile State. This declaration comes after reports of 44 suspected cholera cases, and six laboratory-confirmed cases on 23 October 2024 in Renk, Upper Nile State. As of 27 October 2024, 49 cholera cases have been reported among refugees, returnees, and local communities.
The first suspected case was reported on 28 September 2024 after the County Health Department received a report of a suspected case of cholera at the point of entry in Renk, a border town between Sudan and South Sudan.
In response, the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization, and other partners are taking steps to manage the outbreak.
The announcement was made after a meeting with His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit to secure government support for better access to affected areas.
In a press conference in Juba, Health Minister Honorable Yolanda Awel Deng assured citizens that the government is committed to stopping the spread of cholera in Renk, Upper Nile State.
“The Ministry of Health is aware of the difficult conditions refugees and returnees face, such as overcrowding and poor water and sanitation, which can lead to outbreaks; however, the Ministry is working with health and water sanitation and hygiene cluster partners on the ground to ensure that the risk of the outbreak spreading is minimized,” said Hon. Deng. She also added that the Ministry of Health and WHO have taken steps to proper management of cases reported, ensuring that every-contact on the ground is followed. She urged the communities to practice good and safe behaviors, such as consistent hand washing, use of latrines, and proper food handling throughout the outbreak season.
Addressing the press conference, Dr Humphrey Karamagi, WHO Country Representative in South Sudan, commended the Ministry of Health for declaring the outbreak. The announcement enables the public to take prevention measures, helps health partners take the necessary steps to contain the outbreak, and unlocks the required resources for fighting the outbreak.
Dr Karamagi further affirmed that WHO had prepositioned medical supplies necessary for cholera management in Renk and Malakal, Upper Nile State and reiterated the organization's commitment to assisting the South Sudanese government and partners in controlling the spread of cholera.
Dr Karamagi reiterated WHO’s commitment to supporting the Ministry of Health in enhancing disease surveillance, improving response coordination and ensuring the availability of medical supplies. This includes assistance with case management, laboratory testing, sample collection, transportation, and follow-up.
“Thanks to funding from the European Union Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) allowed WHO to deploy experts and provide technical and logistical support,” said Dr Karamagi.
With the support of WHO, the Ministry has also reactivated a national, state, and county cholera taskforce to coordinate all response interventions, heighten surveillance, and partner coordination. WHO also supports the County Health Department and State Ministry of Health response team in case of any potential outbreak and is actively engaged in social mobilization.
Hon. Yolanda reassured the public not to panic but to stay calm and follow safety measures. Although cholera can be very serious, it is preventable.
The press conference was attended by the media, high-level government officials, and the National Cholera Task Force, among others.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 18th to 20th August 2024 – The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) hosted an Editors' Roundtable Workshop for media executives (editors) and science/health journalists from across the continent. The workshop, held from August 18th to 20th, 2024, is part of the Africa CDC’s strategic communication efforts to engage regional media outlets and increase awareness of health-related issues in Africa.
This initiative aligns with the Africa CDC’s strategic communication objectives for 2024, aimed at enhancing regional collaborations and partnerships with member states and key stakeholders. The event provided an opportunity to strengthen the media's understanding of the agency’s five-year strategic plan, encouraging journalists and media executives to play an active role in communicating public health messages effectively.
Discussions at the workshop focused on how media professionals can contribute to Africa CDC’s efforts to combat health challenges across the continent. By increasing knowledge and building partnerships, the workshop aimed to help media professionals understand their role in promoting Africa CDC’s strategic vision and implementing health policies that support public health across Africa.
The event is expected to help foster closer collaborations between media and public health sectors, ensuring accurate and widespread dissemination of crucial health information across the continent.
