Sudan: Dengue Fever outbreak hits volunteer-run emergency room in Khartoum
The volunteer-operated emergency room in Khartoum Bahri has raised the alarm over a surge in suspected cases of dengue fever. This development comes amidst scarcity of medical resources, hindering the healthcare system’s capacity to combat the disease effectively.
The escalation of cases can be attributed to the closure of approximately 80% of hospitals in conflict-affected zones, severely constraining available resources and impeding containment efforts.
According to a spokesperson from the emergency room, more than 720 suspected cases of dengue fever, including six fatalities, have been identified, primarily concentrated in the Al-Shabia, Al-Mazad, and Al-Hijra neighborhoods.
He added that the infection rates has soared within densely populated areas, with over 45 new cases reported in prominent neighborhoods, including 30 in Al-Mazad and 20 in Shambat.
The emergency room team said they suspected a correlation between the spread of dengue fever and the accumulation of medical waste, including human organs, outside the international hospital, a primary treatment facility for wounded Rapid Support Forces (RSF) personnel.
The emergency room has therefore issued a plea for residents experiencing symptoms resembling malaria to seek immediate medical attention at the nearest health center and refrain from self-medication before proper examination.
The spokesperson, while describing the progression of dengue fever symptoms, explained that the disease typically begins with a mild fever which rapidly escalates, accompanied by symptoms such as severe headache, fatigue, nausea, mouth acidity, and vomiting.
