An outbreak of a parasitic tropical disease killed more than 300 people in remote areas of Upper Nile and Jonglei State in one year.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says the outbreak of kala azar, which began in September 2009 and intensified in recent months, is the biggest health problem facing Southern Sudan, AP reported.More than 7,000 kala azar cases were reported this year and over 300 people have died since September 2009.
Old Fangak area alone, in Upper Nile, registered 749 cases in September.
WHO said this was the worst kala azar outbreak since 1991.
Nine out of 10 patients with kala azar will die if they do not receive treatment, Doctors without Borders said.
Kala azar Ð that means Black Death in Indi Ð it transmitted through sand flies.
The parasite that causes the contagious disease mainly affects children with immune systems weakened by malnutrition.
In the recent outbreak, 90 percent of patients were children under the age of 17.