Five people have had their legs amputated in Gogrial East, Warrap State, as a result of an infection following snake bites.
Authorities say a sharp rise in snake bites and water-borne diseases come amid continuing flooding in one of the worst-affected states. The victims limbs were amputated at Wau Hospital.
Gogrial East County Commissioner, Wol Anei Anei, said the floods have displaced an estimated 15,000 people from their homes. He said five people have confirmed to have drowned in the floods.
“There are cases of malaria and eye infections. [On] the issue of snake bites, there are 11 people who have died and many remain wounded. [For] some, their legs are cut off due to the infection. There are five of them now, so it’s a horrible situation by the way,” Mr Wol told Radio Miraya.
The commissioner is appealing to humanitarian organizations to provide medicine and shelter - like tents and mosquito nets.
At the weekend the national government declared South Sudan a disaster zone as a result of heavy flooding in eight states, with more than 150-thousand people in need of emergency assistance.