El Fasher, May 25(Darfur 24)
Medical sources reported on Sunday that a soldier with the armed forces died of cholera in El Fasher, North Darfur State, amid fears of a widespread epidemic.
El Fasher suffers from a severe shortage of medicine and medical equipment due to the siege imposed on the city by the Rapid Support Forces for more than a year. It also lacks clean drinking water.
A doctor at the Specialized Hospital for Women and Obstetrics told Darfur 24 that reports of a cholera outbreak in eastern El Fasher are worrying.
He called for the deployment of rapid response teams and community action to prevent the spread of cholera, warning of the risk of transmission given the deteriorating health conditions in El Fasher.
A military source confirmed the death of a soldier from cholera in the eastern outposts of the city, noting reports of similar deaths in areas controlled by the Rapid Support Forces east of El Fasher, warning of a rapid spread of the epidemic.
Another military source revealed to Darfur 24 that they had received health warnings, coinciding with reports indicating the first cholera death east of the city.
Despite artillery and drone shelling and occasional clashes, El Fasher hosts tens of thousands of displaced people, residing in at least 45 shelters. Their numbers increased after the Rapid Support Forces took control of Zamzam camp on April 14.
Cholera is currently spreading in many areas in the states of Al-Jazirah, Sennar and Khartoum.