Health authorities in Unity state on Monday recorded 31 measles deaths among children aged 5-10 who recently returned from war-torn Sudan.
Duol Biem Kueiguong, director general in the state ministry of health, told Juba Echo that about 700 children suffering measles are admitted in Bentiu state hospital.
“We have recorded 31 deaths cases of measles and 700 children most of them returnees under the age of 5-10 years are admitted in Bentiu state hospital,” he said in Bentiu town.
Biem disclosed that some returnee pregnant mothers being hosted in Bentiu town, Rubkona, and Rotriah internally displaced persons camps were also confirmed to be suffering from measles.
“All health facilities are full of patients admitted with measles, we are conducting measles campaign in populated areas especially in Bentiu IDP camp, Rubkona town and Rotriah IDPs camp,” he said.
Health authorities in Rubkona County of Unity State on June 3rd declared a measles outbreak among returnees displaced by conflict in neighboring Sudan.
South Sudan now hosts more than 149,000 returnees, including refugees who fled fighting in Sudan across the 12 border crossing points, according to the United Nations.
Brutal fighting erupted in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum on April 15 and swiftly escalated in different parts of the country.
The ongoing fighting is pitting the Sudanese Armed Forces against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Both sides have accused each other of initiating the conflict.
