Local authorities in Western Bahr al Ghazal State of South Sudan say there are cases of the deadly disease anthrax in one of the counties.

Anthrax is a bacterial disease that primarily affects animals, but can be transmitted to humans through consumption of infected meat, or contact with an infected carcass.

John Arop, commissioner of Jur River County, told Radio Tamazuj after a tour of the county that the area suffers service gaps in the fields of education and health.

He said there were not enough qualified teachers or health workers in the county. Also he noted that in spite of many health clinics in the county there are some illnesses such as cases of anthrax.  

According to the commissioner, the latest cases were referred from Marial Bai clinic to Wau Teaching Hospital, the referral hospital for three states of greater Bahr el Ghazal.

Photo: A man suffering anthrax infection in Zimbabwe (International Medical Corps)