Eastern Equatoria State’s Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, launched an oral cholera vaccination campaign last Friday targeting 227,100 people in Torit County.
Since the cholera outbreak began in April, the state has recorded 1,344 cholera cases, including 59 deaths, with 18 patients still hospitalized, officials said.
Nationally, South Sudan has reported 79,000 cholera cases and over 1,400 deaths since the epidemic began in September 2024.
Dr. Amin Gordiano, Director of Primary Health Care in Eastern Equatoria, urged residents to get vaccinated, calling cholera a “dangerous disease that risks lives.”
“The targeted population for this vaccination in Torit County is 227,100. We should all receive this vaccine. If you see any vaccination post, take your children—cholera kills,” he said during the launch at Freedom Square.
State Health Minister Thomas Koteen Piya reassured the public of the vaccine’s safety, stating it is “100% effective” in preventing cholera. He dismissed misinformation about the vaccine, saying areas that previously received it are now cholera-free.
UNICEF representative Osuru Peter emphasized that “cholera is deadly but preventable” and called for joint efforts between health partners, government, and communities.
Dr. Ketiende Chong, Director of Preventive Health Services at South Sudan’s National Ministry of Health, warned that without vaccination, cholera deaths could rise further. The two-week campaign aims to curb infections in Torit County.
“Once we get the vaccine, we feel happy because it will cut down new infections,” he said.
South Sudan has recorded 76,000 recoveries since the outbreak began, but health officials warn that continued vaccination and sanitation efforts are critical to containment.