02 June 2019 – The Ministry of Health of Somalia has announced 78 new suspected cases of cholera, with no deaths, for epidemiological week 21 (20 to 26 May) in 2019. No suspected cholera cases were reported between epidemiological weeks 1 and 7 due to closure of main cholera treatment center, from which the data is collected. The cumulative total number of suspected cholera cases since the beginning of this outbreak in December 2017 is 7368, including 46 associated deaths. All new cases occurred in Banadir region and none had previously received Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV). 71% of the cases are children below 5 years of age.

The cholera outbreak has been contained in the districts of Jubaland, Hirshabelle and South West States following implementation of OCV campaigns and other health interventions in these areas. However, active transmission is still being reported in Banadir region, in 13 out of 17 districts during this reporting period. Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in Banadir are the most affected, due to limited access to safe water and sanitation in their surroundings. Drought is a root cause for both increased migration and overcrowding in IDP areas, as well as water shortage. 

From week 8 to 21 in 2019, 168 stool samples were collected and tested in the National Public Health Laboratory in Mogadishu, 12 of which were confirmed for Vibrio cholerae, serotype O1 Ogawa by culture. During this reporting period, 14 samples were tested and all came back negative.

WHO continues to provide leadership and support the health authorities and partners in activities to mitigate the outbreak. The disease surveillance system is managed by the electronic Early Warning Alert and Response Network (eEWARN) system with the support of WHO and is currently being expanded to all health facilities across the country. WHO and the Ministry of Health continue to monitor outbreak trends through the EWARN system and promptly investigate and respond to all alerts.