Outbreak update – Cholera in Somalia, 21st July 2019
21 July 2019 – The Ministry of Health of Somalia has announced 65 new suspected cases of cholera, with no deaths, for epidemiological week 29 (15th-21st July) in 2019. The cumulative total number of suspected cholera cases since the beginning of this outbreak in December 2017 is 8406, including 46 associated death cases. During this reporting period, all of the cases were reported from a total of 17 districts in Banadir region. Of the 65 cases reported during week 29, 74% 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 oral cholera vaccination (OCV) campaigns and other health interventions in these areas. Active transmission is still reported in Banadir region and extended to Gedo regions. Linked to the drought that affecting many parts of the country has led to limited access to safe water and food insecurity and this is expected to lead to increased spread of cholera cases to other regions. However, during the current week, there was a reduction in number of new cholera cases reported from 114 in week 27 to 89 in week 28. The overall reduction in number of new cholera cases is attributed to improved implementation of preventive interventions including OCV and strengthening WaSH activities in hot spots.
Of the 32 stool samples collected during the reporting week and tested in the National Health Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) in Mogadishu, on etested positive to Vibrio Cholera serotype
During week 24 and 26 WHO and MOH implemented Oral cholera vaccination campaign in 6 cholera high risk districts of Kahda, Hamajajab and Heliwa in Banadir region, Kismayo, Balad and Afgoi. A total of 621,875 (96.7%) of people aged 1 year and above received the first dose of cholera vaccine.
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 (EWARN) 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.