Khartoum: Sudan is facing a severe dengue fever outbreak as ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces continues to devastate the country’s infrastructure. The war has severely damaged hospitals, power grids, and water systems, hampering Sudan’s ability to respond to public health emergencies.

Health authorities report that over 2,000 dengue cases were recorded in a single week, mostly in Khartoum. However, officials estimate that the actual number of infections is likely in the tens of thousands, as many mild cases do not reach hospitals. Hospitals like Omdurman Hospital are overwhelmed, providing only basic treatments such as intravenous paracetamol, while frequent power outages and lack of clean water exacerbate the crisis.

The rainy season has worsened the situation, creating ideal conditions for mosquito breeding. Stagnant water in homes and streets, along with stored water due to broken supply systems, has fueled the rapid spread of mosquito-borne diseases.

The Sudanese government has highlighted the urgent need for $39 million to combat the simultaneous outbreaks of dengue, cholera, and malaria. Currently, only a third of the required funding has been secured, leaving the healthcare system severely under-resourced.

Cholera is also spreading, particularly in the Darfur region, where nearly 13,000 cases have been reported over the past four months. Disruption of insecticide spraying programs and water purification efforts due to the conflict has allowed diseases to spread unchecked.

The outbreak in Sudan illustrates the severe consequences of prolonged conflict on public health. Millions of people have been displaced, and the country's ability to respond effectively to health emergencies has been crippled, creating a humanitarian disaster of unprecedented scale.