Main health risks for Sudan

Diseases transmitted by insects or animals

Malaria is present in the whole country, particularly south of Khartoum. Strains are widely resistant to chloroquine (level-3 resistance). Malaria is the highest cause of mortality in Sudan.

Yellow fever is present in the country and there are regularly epidemic spots.

The avian flu epizootic, which appeared in northern Sudan in April 2006, is supposedly over but a new epidemic spot has been identified in Juba in August 2006. No human case has been reported.

The White Nile, Sennar Gazeera and Khartoum areas have been struck by a Rift Valley Fever outbreak in November 2007. This virus is transmitted to human by a bite of infected mosquito or by handling carcasses of infected animal or by ingestion of unpasteurized milk of contaminated animals. Usually, those infected either experience no symptoms or develop a mild form of the disease characterized fever, nausea, muscle pain, joint pain and headache. In few cases Rift valley fever can lead to an eye infection, or progress to hemorrhagic fever or brain inflammation.

The risk of visceral leishmaniasis is very high. This disease is characterized by an enlarged spleen, fever and weakness and is transmitted by infected phlebotomine sandflies. From January to November 2011, more than 7,800 people have been infected in Jonglei and Upper Nile States which are now parts of the newly formed country of the Republic of South Sudan.

There are cases of animal rabies in the country.

Diseases transmitted by food, water or through the environment

Diarrheic diseases are very frequent in the country among travelers who do not take precautions.

Cholera is endemic, with localized epidemic spots, notably in the south. An outbreak was identified in Juba (south) and Bor in July 2008. In order to minimize risks, it is recommended to wash hands thoroughly before meals, and to use uncontaminated water.

In 2009, 45 cases of polio were reported countrywide. Poliomyelitis is an infectious disease transmitted via the oro-fecal route. It may cause paralysis. An efficient vaccine exits against this disease.

Due to the risk of schistosomiasis and other parasitic infestations, travelers are advised not to bathe in fresh waters (lake, rivers.) and should not walk bare-foot.

Protect yourself carefully from sun and heat, to avoid sunstrokes and burns.

From January to mid-July 2011, 83 cases of cutaneous anthrax have been reported among humans.

Diseases transmitted by contact with infected people

HIV prevalence is seizable; according to UNAIDS, 1.4% of the adult population (15-49) is HIV-positive. HIV is regularly associated with an increase in tuberculosis. In Sudan 300, 000 persons are living with HIV.

There is a risk of Ebola hemorrhagic fever in the country. Among humans, the virus is transmitted by direct contact with infected body fluids. The infection of human cases with Ebola virus has been reported through the handling of infected chimpanzees, gorillas, and forest antelopes - both dead and alive -.

Cases of bacterial meningitis are regularly reported, for instance in 2006 and 2007 in several states of the country (Darfur, Nile, Kassala, Ouarab, West Equatoria, Bahr Al-Ghazal and Bahr Al-Jaba). Meningococcal meningitis is a disease characterized by sudden fever, intense headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck and a rash. The fatality rate is usually 5-15 percent. Transmission occurs by inhaling the bacteria, direct mouth-to-mouth contact with an infected person or contamination by an infected person's nasal secretions.