Chikugunya patient dies in Sudan’s Kassala, 12 new cases in Red Sea state

A chikugunya patient died in New Halfa in eastern Sudan’s Kassala on Thursday. Twelve new cases of the mosquito-born disease were recorded in Jebeit in Red Sea state on Wednesday. The Governor of Kassala briefed the first vice-president about the health situation in Kassala Thursday.

A resident of New Halfa reported to Radio Dabanga that his relative died of chikugunya in the New Halfa Hospital on Thursday. Three new cases of the fever, popularly known as kankasha, were recorded. 13 others complain about symptoms suspected to be related to chikungunya.

He said that the people of New Halfa demand urgent intervention to prevent the spread of the disease.

In Jebeit in the northern part of Red Sea state, 12 new cases were recorded on Wednesday. The fever is concentrated in the districts of Dalab and Wali.

A medical source reported “an average of seven new cases, including bleeding, each day – after the disease appeared more than two weeks ago”, and called on the authorities to urgently intervene to contain the disease.

Briefing

The Sudan News Agency (SUNA) reported on Thursday that Second Vice-President Osman Kibir received Adam Jamaa, Governor of Kassala State, in his office at the Republican Palace in Khartoum that day.

The governor informed Kibir about the health situation in Kassala and the efforts being done by the state and federal governments to improve the situation. 

He told the press in Khartoum that the vice-president instructed him to enhance the people’s living conditions and facilitate a “good preparation for the harvest season”.

The meeting also tackled the security situation and progress of the disarmament campaign in Kassala.