KHARTOUM, May 24 (Xinhua) -- Sudanese Minister of Health Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim on Saturday announced a "surge" in cholera cases in the capital, Khartoum, amid reports of at least 2,500 cases being recorded during May.
Ibrahim said in a statement that the recent spike in cholera cases has averaged between 600 and 700 cases per week over the past four weeks.
He attributed the outbreak to worsening environmental conditions and limited access to safe drinking water, driven by the growing number of returning residents following the liberation of Khartoum State.
The Sudanese army announced earlier this month that it had regained control of Khartoum from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Sudan has been engulfed in a brutal conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF since April 2023.
The Sudanese minister expected that cholera infection rates would decline in the coming weeks, with the upcoming launch of a vaccination campaign across several localities.
He noted that the Khartoum State government, United Nations agencies, and international organizations have established eight cholera treatment centers throughout the state.
