Latest cholera situation update, Somalia, January 2017Highlights

• During January, a total of 3113 cases of acute watery diarrhoea/cholera and 47 deaths were reported across Somalia. This is a significant increase from figures for December 2016 – 1208 cases and 33 deaths.
• Cholera cases are on the rise due to the ongoing drought in Somalia that has dried up much of the available water sources.
• Acute watery diarrhoea/cholera cases in January were reported from 37 districts in the south-central region, including Bay (1443 cases, 23 deaths), Banadir (574 cases, 18 deaths), Lower Shebelle (452 cases, 1 death), Middle Shebelle (317 cases, 3 deaths) and Hiran (265 cases, 2 deaths). Cases were also reported in north-eastern region, including Mudug (76 cases, 0 deaths) and Bari (31 cases, 0 deaths), as well as in 4 districts in 2 Puntland regions.
• Of 32 stool samples collected in January, 10 tested positive for V. Cholerae 0139, serotype Ogawa.
• Oral cholera vaccines have been approved by the WHO Global Task Force on Cholera Control for 7 hotspots in the south-central regions. The first round of vaccinations is scheduled from 18 to 22 March followed by a second round from 2 to 6 April.
• In 2016, a cumulative total of 15 619 suspected cases of cholera, including 531 associated deaths, were reported, with a case–fatality rate of 3.39%.

Latest cholera situation update, Somalia, January 2017