Cholera outbreaks in Sudan and Nigeria are surging, with death rates reaching nearly three times the global average. Save the Children reports severe impacts on children as conflicts and flooding obstruct access to treatment. In Sudan, the CFR is 3.1%, while Nigeria reports 2.9%. Overwhelmed healthcare systems exacerbate the situation, leaving many children without necessary care. Immediate interventions are underway to provide relief.
Cholera outbreaks in Sudan and Nigeria are severely impacting the health of thousands of children, with death rates reported to be nearly three times the global average for this disease. According to “Save the Children,” the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) in Sudan is 3.1 deaths per 100 confirmed cases, while in Nigeria, it stands at 2.9%. The exacerbation of these outbreaks has been attributed to the interplay of severe flooding and ongoing conflicts that hinder treatment access. In Sudan alone, over 17,600 cholera cases and 546 associated deaths have been documented since late July 2024, with 80% of hospitals non-operational and those that are lacking essential medical resources. Children under the age of five represent a significant portion of the confirmed cases and deaths, facing vulnerabilities due to malnutrition and inadequate healthcare. The floods resulting from climate change have affected millions across West and Central Africa, leading to contaminated water supplies and insufficient sewage management. In Nigeria, widespread displacements due to flooding have resulted in over 450 confirmed cholera cases, with a notable percentage of cases among children. The situation in both countries is dire, with health care systems collapsing and essential services, such as vaccinations and maternal care, being severely disrupted. “A lack of vital medicines, combined with hunger and malnutrition is putting millions of children at risk of diseases and possible death,” stated Mohamed Abdiladif, Interim Country Director for Save the Children in Sudan. In parallel, Duncan Harvey, Country Director in Nigeria emphasized, “Cholera outbreaks are preventable with proper infrastructure and hygiene practices, but the flooding is worsening conditions for the most vulnerable, especially children.” In response to this crisis, Save the Children is actively involved in various interventions, including monitoring water quality, providing treatment and safe drinking water, and distributing emergency relief items in both Sudan and Nigeria.
Recent cholera outbreaks in Sudan and Nigeria have intensified due to compounding factors such as climate-induced flooding and ongoing socio-political conflicts. These elements have led to a significant public health crisis, wherein cholera—a treatable disease—has started claiming lives, particularly among vulnerable populations like children. The healthcare infrastructure in both nations is under severe strain, with many facilities rendered inoperative, further complicating the response to the cholera outbreaks. UN assessments indicate that more than four million people in West and Central Africa have been affected by floods, leading to a dramatic increase in cholera cases linked directly to contaminated water sources. The vulnerabilities experienced in these regions reflect a broader pattern of health neglect exacerbated by insufficient systems for health and sanitation, allowing preventable diseases to proliferate under dire conditions.
The cholera outbreaks in Sudan and Nigeria highlight a critical intersection of public health, environmental crises, and socio-political instability. With soaring death rates and a burgeoning number of cases, particularly among children, immediate and effective action is necessary to curb the spread of this preventable disease. Organizations like Save the Children are mobilizing resources to address urgent needs, emphasizing the need for improved infrastructure and health services to protect the most vulnerable from both health crises and the severe impact of ongoing floods due to climate change.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
