KUAJOK – Health officials in South Sudan’s Warrap State have reported at least 125 suspected cases of measles in Tonj South County between October and November 2025, raising fears of a potential outbreak amid an already fragile health and security situation.
Tonj South County Health Director, Johnson Machar Marol, confirmed the figures in an interview on Friday, saying nine samples were sent to Juba for laboratory testing, of which seven tested positive. He added that two deaths linked to the disease have been recorded so far.
“The cases are spreading fast, and we are concerned because our health system is weak. We have already sent samples to Juba, and most have tested positive. The situation needs quick intervention,” Machar said.
He explained that a mass vaccination campaign is being planned in collaboration with health partners to contain the spread of the disease. The exercise will target children and adults, especially those living in remote areas with limited access to healthcare.
However, insecurity caused by recurring inter-communal violence in Tonj South and other parts of Warrap State continues to disrupt medical services. Machar said several health facilities remain non-operational due to repeated attacks by armed youth.
“Some health centers have closed because of insecurity. These attacks make it impossible for our teams to reach communities when vaccination exercises are underway,” he noted.
The county health department has appealed for support from humanitarian organizations to provide additional vaccines, particularly for children under five and elderly persons, who are most vulnerable due to weak immune systems.
Machar also urged residents near functioning health facilities to bring their children for vaccination. “The vaccines are available and stored properly. We don’t want to waste them or risk expiry. We need full community cooperation,” he emphasized.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that primarily affects children and is characterized by fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a widespread red rash.
Health experts warn that poor routine immunization and refusal by some parents to vaccinate their children continue to fuel outbreaks across the country, despite vaccines being provided free of charge by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners.
