Diseases put millions at risk

2006-03-31 13:59

Geneva - Millions of people are at risk from deadly diseases such as cholera and meningitis in Sudan, said the World Health Organisation on Friday, appealing for funds urgently to combat major outbreaks.

Ala Din Alwan of WHO said: "A significant increase in disease incidence and in preventable deaths is expected unless the shortfall of $24m in funds for health are provided immediately."

The United Nations agency, in a statement, predicted "adverse consequences for the health of millions of people throughout Sudan" unless funds were secured for its 20 projects.

Meningitis likely to spread

It said: "For the last six months, Sudan has experienced major outbreaks of epidemic diseases such as acute watery diarrhoea and cholera, dengue, yellow fever, monkey pox and meningitis, placing additional strains on already stretched health care services."

WHO said that meningitis, which had struck at least 1 335 people in 15 of Sudan's 25 states, was likely to spread further due to the lack of essential drugs and vaccinations.

According to WHO, an outbreak of acute watery diarrhoea had affected nearly 9 400 people in seven of the 10 states in southern Sudan, causing 248 deaths.

Cases of acute watery diarrhoea were being reported daily in new locations.

It was not clear how many of these cases were cholera, a water-borne disease, which caused vomiting and acute diarrhoea that could lead to dehydration and death within 24 hours if not treated swiftly.

- Reuters