10 June 2017 – The Ministry of Health of Somalia has reported 2679 AWD/ cholera cases and 23 deaths for week 21 (22 - 29 May 2017). The cumulative figures for the cholera outbreak since the beginning of the year stands at 45400 cases and 738 deaths. The case-fatality rate of 1.6% remains above the emergency threshold of 1%.

While timely and effective interventions have limited the increase in cholera cases overall, new cases continue to be reported. Most of the cases were reported in Banadir region in Wadajir district, Luq in Gedo, Dusamareb, Galgadud and Baidoa in Bay region and Buhodle Ayn region from Puntland.

The health cluster, led by WHO, is working collaboratively with the Ministry of Health, partners and health authorities to respond to the outbreak and implement preventative measures around the country.

In Puntland, 59 mobile teams were deployed to IDP settlements. In Somaliland, water purification teams were activated in Toghdeer and Sanag, integrated diarrhoeal disease kits (IDDK) were distribtued in affected regions as well as 500 Cary-Blair transport medium to collect and diagnose stool samples.

The second round of an oral cholera vaccination campaign was completed on 26 May for over 400000 persons aged 1 year and older in Baidoa and Jowhar districts. 

Lack of rains for consecutive seasons and poor rainfall in Somalia has led to a severe drought that has killed livestock and crops, displaced hundreds of thousands of Somalis, and left around 6.2 out of 12.3 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. Nearly 5.5 million people are at risk of contracting water-borne diseases like cholera. While the Gu rainy season has brought in some relief, floods are now expected to increase the number of cholera cases.