By Simon Deng
The ministry of health in South Sudan, following several deaths from an undiagnosed illness from the northern County of Fangak reported that the fast-spreading illness, which has claimed lives of 89 in Jonglei state is attributed to malaria.
“It is worth noting that this time of the year, malaria is expected to surge and if not promptly treated, it may lead to excess deaths,” Samson Paul Baba, the acting Undersecretary for the ministry told reporters in Juba.
“Ultimately, the ministry of health would like to reassure the public that the reported illness is an upsurge of malaria due to flooding situation and all measures are being taken to improved health services delivery in Fangak,” she said.
Jonglei state and partners deployed a team of health experts comprising of epidemiologists, surveillance officers, clinical officers and laboratory experts to conduct a fact finding and analyze the situation on the ground.
The initial finding was a high positivity rate for malaria among those tested at private clinic and Pakaan PHCC
The health ministry and the World Health Organization also deployed a rapid response task force to investigate the mysterious illness.
The region was recently hit with severe flooding.
