By Paride Wani Moses
Health authorities in Nimule Municipal Council, Eastern Equatoria State, have reported a rise in suspected cholera cases, with the border town now entering its third week of managing the outbreak.
Speaking to Radio Emmanuel in a telephone interview, Nimule Mayor Caesar Longar Fuli said a total of 33 suspected cholera cases have been recorded, although only one patient remains under treatment.
Mayor Longar attributed the relatively low severity of the outbreak to coordinated response efforts by health authorities and a cholera vaccination campaign conducted last year.
“Cholera has appeared in Nimule, and this is now the third week. The Ministry of Health in Eastern Equatoria State, Nimule Municipality, health partners in the state, and the national government have all come together to control the situation. As we speak, there have been 33 cases reported, and only one case remains active. Last year, we faced a cholera outbreak, and many people received vaccinations through the Ministry of Health and our development partners. Because of that vaccination campaign, the disease has been largely controlled up to this time.”
The mayor said local authorities are intensifying public awareness campaigns and enforcing sanitation measures to prevent further transmission of the disease.
He noted that the municipality, in collaboration with humanitarian organizations and health partners, is promoting proper hygiene practices and environmental cleanliness across the town.
“Nimule Municipality, through its Health Coordinator and development partners in the health sector such as WHO, UNICEF, Health Link, and others, is working together to address the situation. We are conducting advocacy and awareness campaigns throughout the town. We also have a project called ‘Keep Nimule Clean and Green,’ which has contributed greatly to improving sanitation.”
Longar said the municipality has deployed sanitation workers to clean streets and public spaces, while waste collection trucks continue to operate across the town. Households are being encouraged to maintain rubbish pits, and businesses are required to provide waste bins as part of efforts to improve public health and reduce the risk of disease outbreaks.
The response comes as health authorities remain on high alert to contain the spread of cholera and protect communities in one of South Sudan’s busiest border towns.