The dreaded Hepatitis B virus has visited Abyei, a large swathe of land straddling the disputed border between Sudan and South Sudan, leaving death and untold suffering in its wake. According to a report published by South Sudan’s Radio Tamazuj on December 5, 2025, one person had succumbed to the virus, while scores more with its symptoms had been admitted to various hospitals as panic gripped the residents.
Information minister Yohana Akol was reported as confirming the two-week old outbreak, and gonging warning bells to the locals “to maintain a clean environment and drink safe water to help curb the spread of Hepatitis B.”
Titled, ‘Official urges clean-up as Hepatitis B cases rise in Abyei’, Radio Tamazuj quoted minister Akol as saying the outbreak had caused fear in the community, and that the situation was made worse by a shortage of essential medicines. What to do? “The minister urged the public to follow health guidelines, including not sharing personal items, maintaining good hygiene, and seeking immediate medical care if symptoms appear.”
To its credit, the publication defined Hepatitis B as “a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic disease (sic). The virus is most commonly transmitted from mother to child birth, as well as through contact with blood or other body fluids.” Radio Tamazuj added that there’s no cure for acute Hepatitis B infection, and that care focuses on rest, adequate nutrition, and fluids to help the body fight the virus. It helpfully advised readers that antiviral drugs can help control the virus and prevent severe liver damage, but treatment is often lifelong. There was more Radio Tamazuj should have done to reduce panic among the affected public and lend the story its cogent context.
One, the story title was misleading. It sounded as if environmental ‘clean-up’ is the ultimate cure for Hepatitis B. It is not. Although the publication did not attribute its definition of the virus to a known scientific entity, the World Health Organization, on its fact source updated on July 23, 2025 provides detailed information: “Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by hepatitis B virus. The infection can be acute (short and severe) or chronic (long term). It can spread through contact with infected body fluids like blood, saliva, vaginal fluids and semen. It can also be passed from a mother to her baby.
The WHO adds: “Transmission of the virus may also occur through the sharing or reuse of contaminated needles and syringes or sharp objects either in healthcare settings, in the community or among persons who inject drugs. Sexual transmission is more prevalent in unvaccinated persons with multiple sexual partners.” What this shows is that Radio Tamazuj – by default or design – chose to be economical with scientific details on the cause of Hepatitis B.
Two, it was strange that Radio Tamazuj fully banked on the explanations from the Information minister over a matter that was purely health in nature. Yet the story had no comment from the minister for Health, experts from the line ministry or those with confirmed knowledge on health issues. Connected to this journalistic blunder was the lack of clarity on the Abyei where the virus had been recorded. Was it Abyei town or the entire 10,546 square kilometers that comprise the entire oil-rich Abyei Administrative Special Area?
The publication didn’t explain that Abyei is located along the ill-defined border between Sudan and South Sudan. As per the Court of Arbitration ruling on July 22, 2009 at The Hague, Netherlands, the area consists of Abyei Municipality, and four counties of Alal, Ameth Aguok, Rum Amer and Mijak. In 2013, Abyei’s Dinka Ngok ethic group conducted an unofficial, unilateral referendum, with 99.9 per cent voting to join South Sudan. So, in what part(s) of Abyei is the Hepatitis B outbreak? The story lacked in geographical specificity, and was quiet on the demographic characteristics of the infected.
Lesson learnt? That in a matter with immense public interest as a disease outbreak, the media must adopt a broad look at the problem and pursue scientifically sound and empowering angles to the story.
