7 June 2018 – The Ministry of Health of Somalia has announced 357 new cases of cholera, including four associated deaths for week 21 (21 to 27 June) of 2018. Among them, 148 cases were reported from the flood-affected areas in the Lower Jubba region. There has been a slight upward trend in cases. 

The cumulative total of cases is 3 904, including 27 associated deaths (case-fatality rate 0.7%), since the beginning of the current outbreak in December 2017. Of the 181 stool samples so far collected since the beginning of the year, 63 tested positive for Vibrio cholera.

Since the beginning of the outbreak, 19 districts in five regions have been affected: 14 districts in Banadir; one (Jowhar) in Middle Shabelle; three in Hiran; one (Afgoye) in Lower Shabelle; and one (Kismayo) in Lower Jubba. This week, active transmission of AWD/cholera was reported in three regions: Kismayo district in Lower Jubba, Afgoye in Lower Shabelle, and 13 districts of the Banadir region (Darkenly,Daynile, Hodan, Madina, Waberi, HamarWeine, Hamarjabjab,Heliwa, and Wardigley, Kaaran, Yaqshid, Howlwadag Shangani districts). In particular, Kismayo has been affected by floods and is reporting an increasing number of cases. Kismayo is characterized by returnees from Kenya as well as IDPs from Middle Jubba and, especially the IDP community of Farjano are reportedly using contaminated water due to floods.

WHO has continued to support the Ministry as a Global Health Cluster lead agency. As well as coordinating the response of all health partners to detect outbreaks, building cholera treatment centers training health workers, and distributing medical supplies. To respond to the increasing risk of the expanding outbreak due to the flood, WHO has prepositioned 44.1 tons of medical supplies to flood-affected regions this week.