South Sudan facing cholera threat

File photo: A South Sudanese girl suffering from cholera lies in a bed in Juba Teaching Hospital in Juba.

File photo: A South Sudanese girl suffering from cholera lies in a bed in Juba Teaching Hospital in Juba.

Published Jul 11, 2014

Share

Kampala, Uganda -

The aid group Save the Children says an outbreak of cholera is putting thousands of lives at risk in parts of violence-hit South Sudan.

The group said on Friday that the disease has infected more than 2 600 people and killed at least 60 since the first cases were reported in the capital, Juba, in May.

It called for more action and greater supplies of medicines.

Cholera outbreaks or alerts have been reported in nine of South Sudan's 10 states, adding to the country's humanitarian crisis amid ongoing violence.

The world's newest country descended into chaos last December after President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy of trying to launch a coup.

A ceasefire signed earlier this year has repeatedly been violated by both sides, according to observers. - Sapa-AP

Related Topics: