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South Sudan

Destination photograph: South Sudan
Yei township (South Sudan) banner.jpg · Huts_in_Yei_township,_South_Sudan.jpg: SuSanA Secretariat derivative work: JamesA · CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Displayed at a reduced size; no image edits.
AI-generated landscape illustration inspired by South Sudan
AI-generated illustration inspired by South Sudan.

South Sudan: recent disease outbreaks

Sources checked

Recent reports

Cholera — ongoing, concentrated hotspots (Unity, Upper Nile and other counties)

South Sudan continues to report active cholera transmission concentrated in a small number of counties (notably Rubkona, Mayom, Leer in Unity State and Renk in Upper Nile), although national weekly reports show cases have declined from earlier 2026 peaks. The Republic of South Sudan IDSR weekly bulletin for the week ending 2 August 2026 described ongoing localized transmission and identified Rubkona as a principal hotspot. WHO/IDSR weekly bulletin (Week 31, 27 Jul–2 Aug 2026). National and UN partners reported reactive oral cholera vaccination campaigns and large cumulative outbreak totals (more than 100,000 cases reported since late 2024 in government/partner statements), and response activity (case management, WASH) continues in affected counties. United Nations South Sudan: cholera response and Radio Tamazuj (Aug 2026).

Poliovirus (circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus, cVDPV) — sporadic detections

Global polio monitoring and WHO statements show South Sudan has recorded variant poliovirus detections in 2026 (including cVDPV types) and remains covered by WHO temporary recommendations under the International Health Regulations because of variant poliovirus circulation and cross‑border risk. These detections have prompted surveillance and synchronized vaccination responses in border and high‑risk areas. WHO polio IHR Emergency Committee statement (25 Aug 2026). Travelers should be aware that polio risk is location‑specific and that public health authorities continue vaccination and surveillance measures in affected counties.

Ebola (Bundibugyo in neighboring DRC/Uganda) — entry screening and health declarations at points of entry

Although South Sudan had not reported confirmed Bundibugyo virus disease cases as of the reporting window, regional outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda led South Sudanese authorities to maintain targeted entry screening measures. Public‑health monitoring at Juba International Airport and some land crossings has included temperature screening and the use of health‑declaration forms for arrivals or departing passengers from high‑risk neighbouring areas. These measures were reported by regional public‑health summaries and national travel‑advice updates during September–October 2026. ECDC report (22 Oct 2026) and FCDO / GOV.UK entry‑requirements note.

Mpox — confirmed clusters in Western Equatoria and Juba

Mpox transmission in South Sudan has produced confirmed clusters in counties including Yambio, Ezo and Juba; weekly IDSR reports and WHO situation summaries through mid‑2026 documented continuing confirmed cases and local response measures (case investigation, isolation, contact follow‑up). National surveillance reported confirmed mpox cases in those counties and partners have supported localized response activities. WHO/IDSR bulletins and WHO multi‑country mpox external situation report.

Measles — localized outbreak reported in Magwi County, Eastern Equatoria

Local health authorities in Magwi County reported a cluster of suspected measles cases (dozens of suspected cases, with multiple laboratory confirmations reported in samples collected in 2026) and called for mass vaccination to stop further spread; independent local outlets covered the event in late August 2026. Reporting described cases first detected in March with ongoing transmission into August. Eye Radio (28 Aug 2026) and South Sudan Press (29 Aug 2026). Measles risk is highest in communities with low vaccination coverage; public authorities may conduct targeted vaccination campaigns.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) — focal outbreaks and vaccination responses

Hepatitis E remains an intermittent outbreak concern in displaced‑person settings and flood‑affected areas in South Sudan; WHO and national bulletins report HEV activity and partner vaccination or response campaigns in counties such as Fangak and Renk in earlier 2026 and ongoing surveillance in mid‑2026. Response actions have included targeted vaccination of women of reproductive age in high‑risk settings. WHO/IDSR bulletins and WHO situation material on hepatitis E response are the primary sources.

Anthrax — focal animal‑to‑human events under investigation

National surveillance documents list ongoing or recent anthrax events affecting people and livestock in limited counties and describe One‑Health investigations and response work; IDSR summaries in 2026 noted anthrax clusters and coordinated rapid‑response actions in affected states. These events are typically geographically limited but present zoonotic risk where people handle or consume meat from animals that died suddenly. WHO/IDSR weekly bulletin (Week 31).

This page summarises verified reports published or updated within the 90‑day window ending 27 October 2026 and is a dated snapshot of events and measures; local transmission patterns, health‑screening rules at ports of entry, and response activities can change rapidly. Travelers should check national public‑health announcements, WHO updates, and their embassy or travel clinic for current advice immediately before travel.