Video clip on scaling up awareness on outbreak investigation and response in Somalia

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1 February, 2011 ¦ Nairobi - Communicable diseases, including diarrheal disease and measles, are a major cause of death in emergencies, such as Somalia. Poor access to health care, insecurity, malnutrition and lack of medical supplies contribute to the high risks of outbreaks. Acute watery diarrhea and vaccine preventable diseases are endemic in Somalia, with sporadic and seasonal outbreaks every year. In March 2010, two cholera outbreaks were confirmed in Mogadishu(Banadir region) and Merka (Lower Shabelle region), counting for a total of more than 3000 cases, 4 in 5being children. Both outbreaks were declared under control at the end of August 2010. To be able to detect and respond to outbreaks when they occur, health workers must be able to report the number of cases of disease that they treat in an accurate and timely manner. Scaling up the awareness on outbreak investigation and response is therefore key. Out of 6 trainings on outbreak investigation and response, WHO Somalia, with support from theHumanitarian Response Fund, conducted from 29th of November till 6th of December 2010 twotrainings at the Banadir University in Mogadishu. Attended by over 70 health workers coming fromregions most prone to outbreaks, all trainings aim to strengthen the coordination of outbreak responseactivities. WHO and health cluster partners are closely monitoring the trends of outbreaks across Somalia,including activities such as early detection and diagnosis of communicable disease outbreaks,preâ&${esc.hash}128;&${esc.hash}144;positioning of supplies at strategic locations, timely deployment of trained health workers, andimproved disease reporting. Coordination and close partnership among agencies working at local, national and international levels iskey for rapid and effective response to outbreaks. WHO works closely with other clusters, especiallywater and sanitation, to monitor the quality of water in affected areas. Pieter Desloovere Communications Officer WHO Somalia Nairobi, Kenya Mobile: +254 733 410 984 Email: deslooverep@nbo.emro.who.int Dr Antony Angaluki Epidemiologist WHO Somalia Nairobi, Kenya Mobile: +254 724 596 413 Email: angalukia@nbo.emro.who.int