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Response Spreads to Southern Juba to Protect Families from Cholera

Our cholera Emergency Response Team begins work in eight new neighborhoods in South Sudans capital to stop the diseases spread

JUBAJune 17, 2014 John Jenis, a proud father of five, is now the parent of fourhe had to bury his three-
year-old son last week. His little boy first started showing symptoms of cholera one recent morning, and passed
away later that evening at Juba Hospital. It was that fast. I think he got sick from playing with the dirty water next
to our house; the kids always do it, even if I try to stop them. If I am around, I can protect them but if I am at
work then they may even drink this water, he explained with his other young children surrounding him.
Since the cholera outbreak began just one month ago, 1,720 people have been infected and 37 have died. While the
caseload overall is stabilizing, last week has shown an increasing number of children 2-4 years old getting sick
and thats a nightmare come true for families in the area. Our Cholera Emergency Response Team has been
working with local government officials and volunteers to stop the spread of cholera in Juba and ensure that
families have access to treatment for those that fall ill.
If Johns son had made it to a healthcare center earlier in the day, he could have been treated. We have been
tirelessly visiting community members in their homes, at markets, at restaurants and at schools over the last few
weeks to raise awareness about cholera and explain what to do if a family member gets sick. In four affected
neighborhoods, we organized community awareness campaigns and distributed hygiene kits to families to help
them stay clean and healthy. Two children were newly diagnosed in the Tongping neighborhood but recovered
because their families rushed them to the hospital as soon they showed symptoms. Awareness of how to detect
this dangerous disease is vital for families in Juba and we have been at the forefront of this response.
Doctor Rama Kalata Iata from the Gurei Primary Health Care Centre has been treating cholera patients since the
first days of the outbreak but recognizes that Now people know they should go directly to the Center for
Treatment of Cholera when they start to feel ill, and we will continue to provide information about hygiene and
what to do if you get sick. We have reached over 5,000 people in our mass hygiene promotion campaign and have
mobilized over 40 community leaders with the goal of improving our early warning systems, setting up local
treatment points, and managing funeral rituals in the area to ensure proper burial.
The number of new cholera cases has remained relatively stable this past weekand while thats a notable
improvement, it in no way means our work is done. As we transition to cover eight new affected areas in southern
Juba, the local Quarter Council in our recent target areas has taken the outbreak management into their own hands
with support from our team. When new cholera cases are brought to the council, they distribute hygiene kits to the
families, disinfect latrines and common spaces if necessary, and provide information on prevention. Parents like
John face challenges every day and the risk of losing a child to a preventable and treatable illness is growing. Our
Cholera Emergency Response Team is working to protect families from this deadly illness and we are expanding
our response to cover more areas as we control this outbreak.

For more information
Please contact:
Elisabeth Anderson Rapport
Senior Communications Officer
212.967.7800 x134
erapport@actionagainsthunger.org