Cholera Outbreaks in Central and West Africa : 2015 Regional Update - Week 52

Highligths :

• DRC: Alarming and potentially explosive situation particularly in former Katanga province: For the last 2 weeks of 2015, the “Divisions Provinciales Sanitaires” of Ituri and in former Katanga province have recorded more than 180 cases each. In the former Katanga, outbreaks are spread in various health zones: Nyemba 75 cases, Moba 44 cases, Kalemie 39 cases and Bukama 17 cases; an alarming situation in these areas known to be cholera sanctuaries.The town of Likasi, 120 km from Lubumbashi, is also affected by this epidemic (Likasi 11 cases, Panda 6 cases, Kikula 4 cases). Fortunately, response actions are already ongoing: WASH interventions are implemented by NGO partners (VIPATU / UNICEF, IRC / RRMP MSF) and medical supplies delivered by UNICEF (3 kits for 1500 cases delivered in Kalemie on W52). To date, the case fatality ratio remains low, around 1,7%.In Ituri, the affected area is Nyarambe Health area, with 95 cases in W52 against 40 in W51. MSF is supportingtechnical teams on the ground while UNICEF is providing supplies.
   

• Water Supply Interruptions and Suspected Cholera Incidence: A Time-Series Regression in the Democratic Republic of the Congo :The eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo have been identified as endemic areas for cholera transmission, and despite continuous control efforts, they continue to experience regular cholera outbreaks that occasionally spread to the rest of the country. In a region where access to improved water sources is particularly poor, the question of which improvements in water access should be prioritized to address cholera transmission remains unresolved. This study aimed at investigating the temporal association between water supply interruptions and Cholera Treatment Centre (CTC) admissions in a medium-sized town.