19 July 2018 – The Ministry of Health of Somalia has announced 151 new cases of cholera, with no deaths, for week 27 (2 to 8 July) of 2018. Among them, 42% are below 2 years old. 

Over the past week, there has been a decrease in the number of cholera cases reported in Lower Shabelle, Banadir and Lower Jubba.

The cumulative total of cases is 5733, including 40 associated deaths (case-fatality rate 0.7%), since the beginning of the current outbreak in December 2017. Of 248 stool samples so far collected since the beginning of this year, 79 tested positive for Vibrio cholerae, serotype O1 Ogawa. 

This week, active transmissions were reported in four regions: 14 districts in Banadir; three districts (Afgoye, Merka and Brava) in Lower Shabelle; Kismayo district in Lower Jubba; and Jowhar district in Middle Shabelle. Middle Shabelle has been a cholera hotspot for the past decade, as access to safe water and sanitation are limited. A cholera outbreak in Jowhar, Middle Shabelle was first detected in week 7, and then there were no cases reported between weeks 15 and 25. However, new cases have been reported since week 26 in villages such as Hantiwadag, Bulosheick and Kumis. Banadir accounts for 50% of the new cases (75), and the highest concentration of IDPs reside in the camps with limited access to water and sanitation. There has been continued reporting of cases since the beginning of the outbreak, and Banadir Hospital has the highest number of cholera admissions in the country.

WHO has continued to support the Ministry as a Global Health Cluster lead agency in responding to this cholera outbreak, coordinating activities with over 70 health cluster partners. By providing organization, surveillance, and case management guidance, WHO has supported cholera case management in cholera treatment centres such as Banadir Hospital, Afgoya Hospital, and Kismayo Hospital. Rapid response teams (RRTs) have supported state level authorities to verify reports in flood affected districts, and teams have been deployed in Jowhar and Kismayo. Hygiene kits have been distributed in the flood affected areas in Lower Jubba, Hiraan and Gedo regions.