Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, Omdurman, and Bahri, are witnessing an unprecedented surge in dengue fever and malaria cases, driven by heavy mosquito and fly infestations. The outbreak is fueled by seasonal rains, blocked drainage systems, accumulated waste, and the absence of effective spraying campaigns.
Residents are facing deteriorating health conditions, while official response remains slow and ineffective. Hospitals and clinics are overwhelmed, with some refusing patients due to shortages in medicine and treatment supplies. Many neighborhoods suffer from a lack of functioning pharmacies, and essential items like mosquito nets and medications are scarce.
A health sector worker attributed the outbreak to the rampant spread of disease-carrying mosquitoes, noting five deaths last week in the Jabrah and Kalaklat areas. With hospitals unable to provide adequate care, many citizens are staying home without access to proper treatment, prompting calls for urgent action to improve urban sanitation.
Social media platforms have seen a rise in complaints about the insect infestation. In some districts, local authorities have imposed fees on residents to cover the cost of equipment for waste removal, despite widespread economic hardship caused by the ongoing war, which has stripped many families of their livelihoods.
The Federal Emergency Center of the Ministry of Health reported over 5,000 cumulative cases of dengue nationwide, including 325 in Khartoum State, underscoring the scale of the crisis.
Dr. Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim, Minister of Health under the de facto authority, confirmed that budgets have been approved for states to confront the rainy season. He emphasized the need for intensified efforts to improve environmental conditions and combat diseases, announcing the launch of a campaign in Khartoum.
Meanwhile, the Emergency Committee for Autumn in Khartoum, led by Executive Director Abdel Moneim Al-Bashir, has banned the dumping of waste in informal landfills within residential areas and public squares. The committee urged community initiatives to support sanitation and disease control, stressing that environmental health is a shared responsibility.
The Khartoum State Ministry of Health announced Tuesday the start of a large-scale fogging campaign to combat disease vectors, beginning in Khartoum locality and expanding gradually to cover all districts.
Dr. Mohamed Al-Tijani, Director of Emergency and Epidemic Control, stated that the campaign will run through November 2025 as part of the state’s plan to curb mosquito-borne diseases during the rainy season.
Dr. Bashir Adam, Director of Malaria Control in Khartoum, called on citizens to cooperate with field teams by opening windows and doors during spraying, covering food and drinks, and keeping children, the elderly, and patients with respiratory conditions away from the area during operations.
He emphasized that the campaign’s success depends heavily on public engagement and adherence to safety guidelines, noting that these efforts aim to enhance community health and prevent further outbreaks.
The health sector in Khartoum State has suffered near-total infrastructure collapse due to the ongoing conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, with widespread destruction of hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies. Losses are estimated at around $11 billion.
