The kala-azar disease is on the increase in South Sudan and more cases are expected between now and April, said a UN medical official.
Kala-azar is an infection transmitted by the bite of sand-flies and common symptoms include fever, weight loss, diarrhea and fatigue.
Abdinasir Abubakar from the World Health Organization told SCR News that more than six thousand cases of kala-azar have been recorded over the past one year and in the last three months the number increased.
Dr. Abubakar added that the number is expected to go up because it is the transmission season until April.
Dr. Abubakar blamed the lack of health services for the increase of kala-azar cases in the mainly affected areas of Jonglei and Upper Nile states.
He added that insecurity and flooding have also contributed to the increase of the disease.
Dr. Abubakar said some seventy percent of the patients suffering from kala-azar infections are children under the age of fifteen who are already suffering from malnutrition and other secondary illnesses.