cholera epidemic in West and Central Africa has infected more than 85,000 people since the start of the year, says UNICEF
DAKAR (AlertNet) – A cholera epidemic sweeping through West and Central Africa has infected more than 85,000 people and killed at least 2,466 since the start of the year, the U.N. Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday.
Cholera is an acute intestinal infection caused by bacteria contaminating food or water, prompting diarrhoea and vomiting. If left untreated, infected people can die of dehydration, sometimes within a matter of hours.
Following are some facts and figures on the epidemic in some of the countries in the region.
Cameroon: Nine of the country’s ten regions (provinces) have reported outbreaks of cholera, with a total of 16, 706 cases and 639 deaths as of late September. There are very few aid groups working on cholera in the country and those that have been responding are showing signs of fatigue due to the long-term nature of the epidemic. Aid agencies say there has been an alarming increase in the cases in the Littoral Region, which is home to Cameroon’s biggest city, Douala, which so far has seen only a moderate number of cases.
Central African Republic: There has been an outbreak of cholera in two districts along the border with Democratic Republic of Congo, with a total of 64 cases and 14 deaths as of Oct. 5. Aid groups are worried that the epidemic could spread to Bangui, the capital city which is more densely populated.
Chad: The largest cholera outbreak in the country’s history has hit 35 out of the country’s 65 districts, infecting 16,027 people and killing 433 as of the start of October. Aid groups say the public health system in the country is weak and there are geographical constraints to reach many infected areas. UNICEF and the World Health Organization forecast that the number of cases might exceed 25,000 at the current rate. The country’s proximity to Cameroon, Nigeria and Niger which are also experiencing epidemics requires a strengthening of cross-border initiatives to tackle the disease which has been ongoing since last year.
Democratic Republic of Congo: A cholera epidemic that started in the east of the country has spread along the Congo River to the west, with 15,641 cases and 436 deaths as of the end of September. Aid agencies say the epidemic is under control in the south and east of the country, but there are still concerns in the north and west where surveillance is weak and health response teams lack medical supplies and are short of staff. Aid groups fear the cholera outbreak might spread very quickly in the capital, Kinshasa, due to people’s lack of access to safe water and sanitation.
Republic of Congo (Brazzaville): There have been cholera outbreaks in six regions of the country – Brazzaville, Cuvette, Likouala and Plateaux , Pool and Sangha – with 642 people infected and 30 deaths. Aid groups are concerned about the weak cross-border coordination between health authorities in the cities of Brazzaville (capital of the Republic of Congo) and Kinshasa (capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo) separated by the River Congo. UNICEF says river islands and boats are not systematically covered by water, sanitation and hygiene teams and the sick often cross borders to get treatment on either side. Aid groups fear a huge epidemic could occur if there is no proper response as Brazzaville and Kinshasa together have 10 million inhabitants.
Mali: Health authorities said there have been cholera outbreaks in five of the country’s eight regions of the country, leaving 1,167 people infected and 49 dead as of mid-September. Aid groups are concerned that the epidemic may spill over to neighbouring countries including Algeria, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mauritania and Senegal.
The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has allocated 66 million FCFA (141,380 U.S. dollars) to support efforts to combat the disease in the country.
Niger: There have been outbreaks in about ten districts in the country, leading to 2,079 people being infected and 48 deaths as of the start of October. The response capacity of humanitarian groups and government health services is already stretched as they try to respond to meningitis, measles, malaria, nutrition problems, the return of migrants from Libya and floods.
Nigeria: Reports say there have been cholera epidemics in 25 of the country’s 36 states, with 21,382 cases and 694 deaths as of the end of September. The five worst hit states are Niger, Kaduna, Taraba, Bauchi and Plateau.
UNICEF says epidemics in Benin, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia and Togo seem to be under control now.
Sources: UNICEF regional office for West and Central Africa and the World Health Organization (WHO)
(Editing by Rebekah Curtis)
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