7 March 2019 – The Ministry of Health of Somalia has announced 61 new suspected cases of cholera, with no deaths, for epidemiological week 8 (18 to 24 February) in 2019. No suspected cholera cases were reported between epidemiological weeks 1 and 7 due to closure of cholera treatment centers, from which the data is collected. The cumulative total number of suspected cholera cases since the beginning of this outbreak in December 2017 is 6867, including 46 associated deaths. During this reporting period, all of the cases were reported from 11 out of 17 districts in Banadir region, with Howlwadag, Shangani and Madina the most affected districts. Of the 61 cases reported during week 8, 59% (36) are children below 5 years of age. 

The cholera outbreak was contained in the districts of Jubaland, Hirshabelle and South West States following implementation of oral cholera vaccination (OCV) campaigns and other health interventions. However, active transmission is still being reported in 11 districts of the Banadir region (Darkenly, Daynile, Hodan, Madina, Abdiaziz, Hamarjabjab, Howlwadag, Kaaran, Wardigley Waberi and Shangani).

Since the beginning of 2019, 22 stool samples have been collected and tested in the National Public Health Laboratory in Mogadishu. During this reporting period, one case was confirmed positive for Vibrio cholerae, serotype O1 Ogawa.

WHO continues to provide leadership and supports the health authorities and partners in activities to mitigate the outbreak. The disease surveillance system is managed by the electronic Early Warning Alert and Response Network (EWARN) system with the support of WHO and is currently being expanded to all health facilities across the country. WHO and the Ministry of Health continue to monitor outbreak trends through the EWARN system and promptly investigate and respond to all alerts.