Haemorrhagic fever, malaria spread in Central Darfur

The number of haemorrhagic fever cases in Central Darfur has risen to 39 – 16 have died. The state is also witnessing a significant increase in severe malaria cases.

The Central Darfur Minister of Health, Eisa Mohamed Mousa, said in an interview with Radio Dabanga on Friday that the number of haemorrhagic fever cases rose from nine to 39 in less than two weeks.

“All cases were recorded in the areas of the Hamidiya, Hasahisa, and Teiba camps for the displaced near the state capital of Zalingei,” he said.

He added that the state Health Ministry sent samples from the patient to a laboratory in Khartoum. “We have not yet received the results.”

Malaria

The Minister further reported that this year is witnessing a significant increase in severe malaria cases. “About 23,000 patients have been recorded since the start of the rainy season.”

He said that they requested support from the federal government in Khartoum for a rescue plan, in particular for the most affected localities of Zalingei and Wadi Salih. “We started an intensive spraying campaign. So far, half of the districts in Zalingei have been covered.”

Federal Minister of Health Bahar Idris Abu Garda acknowledged the high number of malaria cases in the country, especially West and Central Darfur, White Nile and the Northern State, where between 67 and 94 percent of the population is affected.

Most of the Sudanese states have complained of a shortage of medicines in the health units. Medical sources expect epidemics of some diseases, especially because less-known viruses are often misdiagnosed as malaria.