What's happened
Sudan's ongoing civil war has worsened health crises, with cholera spreading across all 18 states and hospitals overwhelmed by dengue, malaria, and typhoid. Access to healthcare remains limited, and the outbreak of multiple diseases is exacerbated by conflict and infrastructure destruction.
What's behind the headline?
The convergence of conflict and public health crises in Sudan reveals a complex failure of governance and infrastructure. The cholera outbreak's spread to all 18 states underscores the failure to contain waterborne diseases in war zones. The health system's collapse, with hospitals destroyed and supplies scarce, has led to a surge in preventable deaths. The simultaneous outbreaks of dengue, malaria, and typhoid, especially in Khartoum, highlight how war-induced displacement and infrastructure damage create ideal conditions for vector-borne and waterborne diseases. This situation will likely worsen unless a ceasefire allows for humanitarian access and health system rebuilding. The international community's response remains critical, but ongoing conflict hampers effective intervention, risking a broader regional health crisis.
What the papers say
The New Arab and AP News both report on the widespread cholera outbreak and the health system's collapse, emphasizing the disease's spread and the rising death toll. The New Arab provides detailed context on the conflict's impact on health infrastructure and the ongoing violence, while AP News highlights the scale of the outbreak and the response efforts. Al Jazeera offers a detailed account of the dengue and other disease outbreaks in Khartoum, illustrating the strain on hospitals and the impact of the war on healthcare services. The contrasting focus on different diseases and regions underscores the multifaceted health crisis Sudan faces, driven by ongoing conflict and infrastructure destruction.
How we got here
Since April 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in a civil war between the military and paramilitary forces, leading to widespread displacement, atrocities, and infrastructure collapse. The conflict has severely hampered access to basic services, including healthcare, which has contributed to the rise of infectious diseases like cholera, dengue, malaria, and typhoid. The outbreak of cholera began in Kassala in July 2024 and has since spread nationwide, while hospitals in Khartoum are overwhelmed by disease cases amid ongoing fighting.
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Common question
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What Are the Main Health Issues in Sudan Right Now?
Sudan is currently facing a severe health crisis driven by ongoing conflict and infrastructure collapse. Diseases like cholera, dengue, malaria, and typhoid are spreading rapidly, overwhelming hospitals and limiting access to care. Many wonder how conflict worsens disease outbreaks and what efforts are underway to help. Below, we answer common questions about this urgent health emergency and its potential global impact.
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How is the cholera outbreak spreading across Sudan?
Sudan is currently facing a severe health crisis, with cholera spreading rapidly across all 18 states. The ongoing civil war has devastated healthcare infrastructure, making it difficult to control the outbreak. Many are asking how this disease is spreading and what can be done to stop it. Below, we explore the key questions about Sudan's health emergency and the challenges faced in managing multiple disease outbreaks amid conflict.
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