The Ministry of Health declared on Tuesday an outbreak of meningitis in Malakal County, Upper Nile State.
Undersecretary Makur Matur Koryom said in a statement the first suspected case was admitted to Malakal Teaching Hospital on April 15.Another 38 cases were reported since and two people died.
Dr Matur said meningitis is affecting mostly people aged between eight and 20.
The patients are receiving treatment at Malakal Teaching Hospital.
The ministry transported drugs to Malakal and plans to mass vaccinate over 260 thousand people against meningitis in Malakal County.
Dr Matur explained that the ministry is reactivating the National and State Epidemic Task Force to coordinate intervention.
Surveillance has been heightened at facility and community level.
Meningitis affects the human brain and spinal cord which may result to brain damage, hearing loss and learning disability.