Dengue Fever Deaths Rise in Northern Sudan as Outbreak Spreads

Khartoum, April 24, 2026 - Health authorities in Sudan’s Northern State have issued an urgent warning following a confirmed death linked to a growing dengue fever outbreak, as cases continue to rise across northern regions of the country. The Humanitarian Aid Commission in Northern State called for immediate intervention from international humanitarian partners to help contain the spread of the disease, particularly in Merowe and the Alzuma area. Officials confirmed that infections in the state have reached 173 cases, with the first recorded fatality prompting concerns that the outbreak could escalate rapidly without urgent preventive action. Northern State is currently hosting large numbers of displaced people from conflict-affected areas in Darfur and Kordofan, many of whom are living in overcrowded conditions in camps east of Al Dabbah, further increasing health risks. In neighbouring River Nile State, the Ministry of Health reported a continued rise in infections across multiple localities. Recent figures show 108 new cases, bringing the total number of dengue infections in the state to 6,304, with 12 recorded deaths. National health authorities have already warned that dengue fever is spreading across at least seven states, alongside separate outbreaks of hepatitis in three regions. The country’s healthcare system remains under severe strain due to the ongoing conflict, which has disrupted supply chains, restricted access to medical facilities, and significantly weakened primary healthcare services across affected areas.