PESTILENCE IN THE SUDAN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22326, 28 July 1934, Page 5

PESTILENCE IN THE SUDAN

Cerebrospinal meningitis still rages in the Auglo-Egyptian Sudan, though but for the action of one man it might by now have been effectively checked. Information has reached the Melbourne headquarters of the Sudan United Mission, Australian branch, that heavy rains have fallen in some parts of the Kordofan province, stamping out the dreaded disease, which has killed 3000 natives there In the Arab districts of El Obeid and Rahad the disease is still a scourge of death. Hopes were bright that, apart from these striken areas, there would be no recurrence of the pestilence. However, a mar. from the affected area thoughtlessly travelled to the populous city of Omdurman. An outbreak of the disease followed, and, although prompt quarantine measures were applied, 50 people have already died. The terrified Omdurman populace of 110,000, in a state of paim ful apprehension, is hoping that no more will die, but it seems unlikely that in this thickly-populated town, which is no more hygienic than the average African city, the outbreak will checked before many more lives have been lost. Great relief was felt in Melbourne when it was learnt that there wore no casualties among the missionaries of the Sudan United Mission who are stationed in the affected areas.