Authorities in South Sudan’s Abyei Special Administrative Area have confirmed an outbreak of hepatitis E that has killed at least 39 people since the start of 2025, raising concerns about water safety and public health in the disputed region.
The Abyei health minister, Dr. Ayom Korchek Ayom, said 284 cases of the viral disease have been recorded so far this year. He said the local health ministry is working with the medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières, also known as Doctors Without Borders, to contain the outbreak.
“We have recorded 284 cases of hepatitis E since the beginning of 2025, and sadly 39 patients have died,” Ayom said. “This is a serious situation, and we are working closely with MSF to prevent further transmission.”
Health officials suspect contaminated water sources are driving the outbreak, prompting increased testing in affected areas. Ayom said water samples have already been collected from Amiet market, a major commercial center, with similar testing planned in Abyei town.
“Our team has collected water samples in Amiet for laboratory analysis, and the same will be done in Abyei town to help identify the source of infection,” he said.
Hepatitis E is typically spread through contaminated water and poor sanitation. It can be particularly dangerous for pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.
Health ministry and MSF teams are also conducting community awareness campaigns, urging residents to boil drinking water, maintain proper hygiene and seek medical care early if symptoms develop.
Authorities have appealed to residents to cooperate with health workers as efforts continue to contain the outbreak and prevent further deaths.