Heavy rains in Sudan, cholera outbreak announced

Sudan’s health minister has declared a cholera outbreak after heavy rains hit the country, devastated by more than 16 months of war, for several weeks. “We are declaring a cholera epidemic as a result of climatic conditions and drinking water pollution,” explained Haitham Ibrahim in a video recording released by his ministry. The states of Kassala and Gedaref, in eastern Sudan, are particularly affected by the epidemic, said the minister, who did not specify the number of cases found. For several weeks, Sudan has been hit by heavy rains that have displaced thousands of people and of diseases to bring with them, with an increase in cases of diarrhoea, especially among children.