The international emergency aid agency MŽdecins Sans Frontires said it is battling to contain the biggest kala-azar outbreak in eight years in south Sudan.
Jose Hulsenbek, MSF-Holland head of Mission in south Sudan, told SCR News that the outbreak is eight times more severe than last year’s.Ms Hulsenbek added that Southerners returning from North Sudan and from abroad ahead of the referendum will be exposed to kala-azar outbreak which could lead to another increase in the outbreak in 2011.
She added that the returnees will put pressure on food supplies in an area marred by malnutrition.
Ms. Hulsenbek noted that the people who show the symptoms of the disease have difficulties accessing the specialized heath care they need.
She said that if kala-azar is treated at least 95 percent of people get cured.
Kala-azar is passed through the sandtfly and affects people in Upper Nile, Jonglei and Unity states.