26 July 2018 – The Ministry of Health of Somalia has announced 151 new cases of cholera, with no deaths, for week 28 (9 to 15 July) of 2018. Among those afflicted, 45% are under 2 years old. The reported cases have been decreasing for two consecutive weeks.
The cumulative total of cases is 5880, including 40 associated deaths (case-fatality rate 0.7%), since the beginning of the current outbreak, which began in December 2017. Of 248 stool samples so far collected since the beginning of 2018, 79 tested positive for Vibrio cholerae, serotype O1 Ogawa.
This week, active transmissions were reported in 13 districts in four regions: 11 districts in Banadir; Merka district in Lower Shabelle; Kismayo district in Lower Jubba, and Jowhar district in Middle Shabelle.
Banadir region, which includes Mogadishu City, represents 39% of the total cases (2295). Mogadishu has one of the highest concentrations of internally displaced persons (IDPs), who live in locations where access to safe water and sanitation are limited. The cholera outbreak in Banadir region started in January 2018, and it followed reports of a similar outbreak in the Beletweyne District of Hiraan region. Of the 17 districts that make up the Banadir region, 11 have so far reported cases, and those cases have been managed in the Banadir cholera treatment center (CTC) in the capital Mogadishu.
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, laboratory capacity enhancement, and case management guidance, WHO has supported case management in cholera treatment centres, such as Banadir Hospital, Afgoya Hospital, Merka 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. Chlorination of water sources in cholera affected areas in Farjano, Allenly, and Fanole has been conducted. 1500 hygiene kits have been distributed in Bula-Gaduud village, and hygiene promotion of cholera prevention and control mechanism are ongoing in Farjano, Allanley, Gulwade and Shaqlaha.