15 March 2018 – The Ministry of Health of Somalia has reported 174 new cases of AWD/cholera, with zero deaths during week 9 (26 February to 4 March) of 2018. Children under 5 represent 52 % of the reported cases.  The cumulative total number of cases is 1 313 with 8 associated deaths (case fatality rate 0.6%) since the beginning of the current outbreak in December 2017.

New cases have been on the rise in Somalia, especially in Banadir, Lower Jubba, Middle Shabelle and Hiran. 

WHO is coordinating the planning and implementation of response activities with the Ministry of Health, WASH and Health Cluster partners, and local health authorities. This includes support for case management in cholera treatment centres in Banadir, Beledweyne, Middle Shebelle, and Kismayo; surveillance; deployment of rapid response teams; engagement of community health workers; provision of medical supplies; health and hygiene education in affected communities; and distribution of hygiene kits in Beledweyne and Kismayo.

WHO supported the first round of ab oral cholera vaccination  campaign conducted in Hudur in Bakol region, and Afmadow in Lower Jubba region from 11 to 18 February. A total of 176037 people aged one year and above received the first of 2 doses of oral cholera vaccine. During this campaign in Afmadow, hygiene kits were also distributed among the affected populations. The second round of the campaign will be conducted from 11 to 18 March 2018.

Somalia experienced a major cholera outbreak in 2017 with 79 172 reported cases and 1159 associated deaths. Oral cholera vaccination (OCV) campaigns were conducted in hotspots around the country in response to the outbreak, and successfully limited the number of new cases. However, 95% of the reported cases in the current outbreak have not been previously immunized.