At least 231 people have tested positive for hepatitis B and C in Yambio County of Western Equatoria.
The Azande Kingdom launched a mass testing and vaccination campaign on 3rd July 2025, health authorities have confirmed.
According to Peter David Siro, the Azande Kingdom’s Health Minister (Banyaki tipa du kpoto aboro ngawia), a total of 1,300 people were screened, with 113 women, 98 men, and 20 children found to be infected.
“These numbers are worrying and show that hepatitis is silently spreading in our communities,” Siro said. “We urgently need more test kits, vaccines, and treatment centers to prevent more deaths.” Said Siro
The health department cites several obstacles affecting the fight against hepatitis, including.
Shortage of test kits and vaccines, Lack of treatment centers for positive cases, Transportation difficulties in reaching payams, and limited funding for awareness campaigns.
In April 2025, Ezo County authorities also raised concern about hepatitis infections, with The City Review reporting a rise in cases. Health experts say this shows the disease is spreading widely across Western Equatoria.
Hepatitis has already claimed the lives of several prominent figures this year, including Charles Wote, a former Eye Radio journalist, Ustaz Morris Denis, former manager of Sama FM in Juba, and Isaac Miskin, a football coach and youth leader from Yambio.
In a call for urgent action, health officials are urging the national government and partners to step up support.
“Hepatitis is a silent killer we must act now before it is too late,” Minister Siro stressed.
