South Sudan declares cholera outbreak

South Sudan Wednesday announced 179 cases of cholera outbreak that has also caused the death of one person since the report of the first case in February, Anadolu news agency reports.

Yolanda Awel Deng Juach, the Health Minister of the African country indicated that the cases have been circumvented in Malakal region, in the state of High Nile.

Children account for the largest proportion of the patients. 170 cases are children aged between 0 and 4. Authorities have declared a cholera epidemic in the country.

Cholera, an acute diarrheal disease caused by an infection of the intestine, can lead to severe dehydration and death if left untreated.

“The Ministry of Health will continue to work with partners to ensure preparedness, readiness and response efforts are fully implemented and the people of South Sudan are protected from cholera,” a ministry statement said.