The Ministry of Health of Khartoum state has initiated several interventions, after two people suffering from dengue fever died on Wednesday. This follows criticism from the United Doctors’ Office in Sudan, which attributed the dengue fever epidemic in Khartoum and other states to the ministry’s failure to stem the spread with “sound scientific methods”.
In a statement on Friday, the ministry said that the number of confirmed cases of dengue fever has risen to 487, which represents an increase of 30 cases since Wednesday. These figures include 103 patients who are affected by both dengue fever and malaria.
The number of suspected cases has reached 1,055, which is 106 more than on Wednesday.
According to the reports, the disease is now prevalent in the densely populated Ombadda and Karari localities in Omdurman, and Khartoum locality.
The Ministry announced interventions to contain the spread of dengue fever, including inspection and home education to reduce breeding sites for mosquitoes inside homes, spraying with machines carried on vehicles, and treatment of cases, as well as activities to raise health awareness.
In an interview with Radio Dabanga, medical doctor Alaa Nugud stated that the ministry’s announcement of the first wave of the epidemic that began last year, as well as their actions in closing certain areas off to contain the spread, was far too late.
According to him, the only reason the ministry took any steps in announcing the fever’s emergence in the first place, was due to the news that had surfaced of dengue-related deaths in Khartoum.
Source: Radio Dabanga