As of 31 August 2016, a total number of 13 453 suspected cases of cholera, including 496 deaths (case–fatality rate 3.7%), have been reported in 25 districts in the south and central regions of Somalia. Of these, 6378 (47.5%) are female and 7791 (58%) are children below 5 years of age. Of the 100 stool samples collected from different sites, 45 stool samples (45%) were tested positive for Vibrio cholera serotypes Inaba and Ogawa.
As shown in the EPI curve, the number of cholera cases and cholera deaths reported have decreased over the past four weeks.
Uncontrolled population movement, flooding, poor access to water and sanitation, poor hygienic behaviour and limited access to health services have contributed to the spread of the cholera epidemic.
