Spike in Watery Diarrhea Hits Tonj North
Tonj North County, Warrap State, has recorded about 700 diarrhea cases between October and November 2025, health director Angelo Deec Chol confirmed.
The surge, mainly affecting children under five, has placed primary facilities Rum-abuth and Abuuth Ngok at the centre of an urgent public-health response.
Link to Sanitation Challenges
Chol attributes the rise to persistent open defecation and limited latrine coverage, noting that contaminated surfaces and water amplify transmission.
He warned that without rapid sanitation upgrades, the situation could escalate toward cholera, a seasonal threat in the broader Nile-Bahr el Ghazal corridor.
Prevention Messages Gain Momentum
County authorities urge residents to wash hands after latrine use, drink treated water and consume well-cooked food, echoing World Health Organization guidelines.
Community volunteers are planning door-to-door sensitisation, with radio spots reinforcing the idea that hygiene, not medication alone, curbs watery diarrhea.
Appeal for Health-Sector Support
Health officers are calling on state ministries and partners to finance drugs, oral rehydration salts and protective gear for overstretched clinics.
‘Massive awareness is needed in and around greater Tonj,’ Chol stressed, inviting NGOs to back outreach campaigns before the dry-season migratory uptick.
Early Reporting Remains Vital
Residents are advised to bring any case of acute watery diarrhea or severe dehydration to the nearest centre immediately to reduce child mortality.
Swift reporting enables data collection that guides resource allocation and prevents rumours from undermining trust in local health personnel.