Authorities in Sudan’s Northern State issued an urgent appeal on Friday to combat a dengue fever outbreak following a recorded death, amid a significant spread of the disease across northern regions.

The Humanitarian Aid Commission in the Northern State called for immediate intervention from United Nations agencies and humanitarian partners to curb the epidemic in Merowe, specifically in the Alzuma area.

The appeal follows the first confirmed death in the state, with total infections reaching 173 cases. Officials warned the health situation could deteriorate rapidly without swift preventative measures.

Northern State currently hosts tens of thousands of displaced persons from the Darfur and Kordofan regions, many of whom are living in the Al-Affad camp east of Al Dabbah.