River Nile State Health Minister to Sudanhorizon: Dengue Fever Under Control

Atbara – Sudanhorizon – Mariam Absher
The Ministry of Health in River Nile State confirmed that the dengue fever outbreak, which has spread in some localities of the state, remains under control.
The State Minister of Health, Mustafa Mohammed Al-Sharif, revealed in an exclusive statement to Sudanhorizon that the number of deaths resulting from the disease has not exceeded ten cases since its emergence.
He explained that the ministry is currently working, in coordination with relevant authorities, through intensive campaigns to raise public awareness and educate citizens. He noted that the mosquito transmitting the disease typically breeds inside homes, especially in areas where water is collected and stored.
Al-Sharif added that the outbreak remains confined to three localities in the state: Shendi, Al-Matamma, and some neighborhoods of Al-Damar locality.
He stated that the total cumulative number of cases since the outbreak began has exceeded 4,000, while daily infections in the affected localities range between 120 and 140 cases.
The minister stressed that the primary responsibility for combating the disease lies with citizens, while official authorities play a complementary role through spraying operations and health awareness campaigns.
Meanwhile, a Ministry of Health official told Sudanhorizon that dengue fever is a new and previously unrecorded disease in River Nile State, with cases first appearing during the war and population displacement. She explained that the mosquito was introduced through the belongings of some displaced individuals, leading to its spread in certain localities.
The official noted that methods of controlling the mosquito that transmits dengue differ from those used for other vectors, highlighting that the state has adopted the slogan: “Dry it up to stop the fever.”
She urged citizens to drain water storage containers and puddles caused by network faults and other sources at least twice a week.
She emphasized that drying out standing water is one of the most important preventive measures to stop the mosquito’s breeding, noting that there is currently no definitive cure for the disease, which requires collective efforts and increased public awareness to ensure proper water management, cleaning, and drying of storage containers.

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