20-November 2013 – The number of people reported to be suffering from kala azar disease in Upper Nile State had increased to 79 over the past few days, but partners were working to contain it, according to authorities at Malakal Teaching hospital.
Hospital Director John Chol Tipo expressed appreciation for the role played by the World Health Organization and others in controlling the disease.
“The World health Organization and other … partners have supported us with medicines,” he said.
“Most of the cases come from the counties in the Upper Nile and northern part of Jonglei states,” the hospital director added.
WHO Emergency and Preparedness Officer Emmanuel Timothy Thwol said the agency was working with other partners to contain the situation.
“WHO has provided medical supplies and testing kits,” he said. “I believe the outbreak … will be contained. I believe in short duration things will go back to normal.”
Kala azar is a parasitic disease spread by sandflies which generally causes skin sores or affects internal organs like the spleen, liver and bone marrow. If left untreated, it can have a fatality rate as high as 100% within two years.