IOM and Partners Complete Cholera Vaccination Campaign in Bentiu, South Sudan
06/30/15 – Press Release
South Sudan – IOM (International Organzation for Migration) in South Sudan, in close coordination with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners, has completed the second and final round of an oral cholera vaccine campaign at the UN Protection of Civilians (PoC) site in Bentiu, Unity State.

Vaccination of the internally displaced population (IDP) in the Bentiu PoC site is critical in the wake of the 23 June declaration of a cholera outbreak in the capital city of Juba. As of 30 June teams in the country have confirmed over 350 cholera cases in Juba county.

During two rounds of cholera vaccinations between 1–28 June, the IOM Rapid Response Team and partners vaccinated more than 71,200 people, including IDPs, and UN and humanitarian staff.

Although no confirmed cases have been reported outside of Juba, pre-emptive activities – such as, oral vaccination and hygiene promotion – are critical to help contain the spread of cholera, especially in crowded IDP sites like Bentiu.

“With the Bentiu IDP population increasing by hundreds each day and the rainy season setting in, conditions are ripe for the spread of diseases,” stated David Derthick, IOM South Sudan Chief of Mission. “IOM’s cholera vaccination campaign is a vital step to keeping cholera at bay in Bentiu.”

IOM will use the remaining vaccines to vaccinate new arrivals as they enter the PoC site…

“Through the efforts of our Rapid Response Team, IOM has quickly vaccinated the IDP population against cholera, while at the same time enabling our health partners to continue regular medical services that are just as vital to minimizing the spread of diseases,” noted Haley West, IOM Migration Health Programme Coordinator…

…In response to a request from WHO and other health partners, IOM will also lead an oral cholera vaccination campaign in the UN PoC site in Malakal, Upper Nile State, in the coming weeks.

The vaccination campaign at the Bentiu PoC site was