28 June 2018 – The Ministry of Health of Somalia has announced 292 new cases of cholera, including four associated deaths for week 24 (11 to 17 June) of 2018. There has been a reduction of newly reported cases since week 23. The cumulative total of cases is 4 935, including 36 associated deaths (case-fatality rate 0.7%) since the beginning of the current outbreak in December 2017. Of the 223 stool samples so far collected from six cholera treatment centers (CTCs) in four regions since the beginning of the year, 70 tested positive for Vibrio cholera o1 Ogawa.

This week, active transmission of AWD/cholera was reported in three regions: 13 districts in Banadir; three districts (Afgoye, Kurtunwarey and Merka) in Lower Shabelle; and Kismayo district in Lower Jubba. Middle Shabelle and HIran have not reported any new cases for more than 10 consecutive weeks. 

Following heavy rains in Ethiopia and Somalia, flash floods have been reported in the basins of Juba and Shabelle. An estimated 830 000 people have been affected, of which 230 000 have been displaced. Floods have contributed to the contamination of water sources as well as disruption of health services, which are precursors of cholera outbreaks. Out of 292 cases, 53% (155) were reported from the flood affected regions of Lower Shabelle and Lower Jubba. Since the flood affected these regions last April, there has been an observed increase in the number of new AWD/Cholera cases. 

WHO is providing leadership and support for activities with the Ministry of Health (MoH) to respond to this outbreak. Coordination meetings were held in the flood affected districts with MoHs at Federal and State levels to effectively collaborate with health cluster partners.  WHO has also continued to support clinical care delivery, including on the job training, supervision and monitoring of case management in cholera treatment centers, prepositioning of 44.1 tons of medical supplies to flood affected regions, surveillance and investigation of rumors, and WASH activities, which include distribution of hygienic kits in Lower Jubba, Hiraan and Gedo regions and chlorination of water sources with WASH partners.