In an effort to protect people at risk of bilharzia in South Sudan, the Ministry of Health, with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO), conducted mass drug administration in four counties.

The aim was to interrupt transmission and protect school-aged children and adults at risk of infection in moderate to high-risk areas of South Sudan.

Bilharzia is a significant public health problem in many countries, and preventive chemotherapy has been demonstrated to benefit affected communities. However, it is still not readily accessible by all.

Bilharzia is highly endemic in 48 Payams, moderate in 96 Payams, and low in 93 Payams of South Sudan, putting over 4 million people at risk, including 1.5 million school-aged children aged 5 - 15.

South Sudan is endemic for bilharzia. People who come in contact with contaminated water when paddling, swimming or washing can become infected. To control and eliminate human bilharzia, it is crucial to use large-scale preventive treatment with safe, single-dose, quality-assured medicines to prevent illness and interrupt transmission.

With the aim to exceed the World Health Organization's minimum treatment goal of at least 75% of at-risk school-age children and adults in high-risk areas, the Ministry of Health, with support from WHO and partners, conducted mass drug administration in schools and community centers in Juba and Terekeka, Central Equatoria State; Bor, Jonglei State and Awerial, Lakes State of moderate and high endemic, treating nearly 800 000 children and adults.

Dr Fabian Ndenzako, WHO Representative a.i. for South Sudan, said, "Administering medicine to prevent bilharzia will protect children and adults from getting sick."

Thanks to the generous contribution of Merck Pharmaceuticals, WHO is committed to supporting the Ministry of Health to reduce infection levels and prevent illness, especially the development of irreversible pathology in adulthood, using preventive therapy through mass treatment of targeted groups, said Dr Ndenzako.

Note for the editors:

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a group of infections that primarily affect the poorest and most marginalized communities globally. NTDs affect around one billion people globally, 40% of whom live in the African region. The NTDs are categorized into two broad areas: preventive chemotherapy (PC-NTDs) and case management (CM-NTDs). The PC-NTDs prevalent in South Sudan are elephantiasis, bilharzia, intestinal parasites, river blindness, and trachoma.

Technical contact:
Dr Mutale Nsakashalo Senkwe, Email: senkwem [at] who.int