15 June 2017 – The Ministry of Health of Somalia has reported 2429 AWD/ cholera cases and 19 deaths for week 23 (5 - 11 June 2017). Of these, 460 cases (19% of the total cases) were reported from Wadajir district in Banadir region.
The cholera outbreak which started in January 2017 has seen a cumulative total of 51 036 cases including 782 deaths. The case-fatality rate of 1.6% remains above the emergency threshold of 1%.
Timely and effective interventions have reduced the number of new cholera cases overall, however, new cases continue to be reported certain areas. Most of the cases were reported in in Wadajir in Banadir region, Goldogob in Mudug, Dusamareb, Galgadud and Merca in Lower Shebelle region.
The health cluster, led by WHO, is working collaboratively with the Ministry of Health, partners and health authorities to respond to the outbreak and implement preventative measures around the country.
WHO conducted risk assessment activities in Banadir and Galgaduud regions to identify the population most at risk for cholera. Training was provided for 54 health workers in cholera surveillance, case management, infection control and prevention. House-to-house WASH campaigns were conducted in the Afgoye corridor which has been the epi-centre of the outbreak in Banadir.
Lack of rains for consecutive seasons and poor rainfall in Somalia has led to a severe drought that has killed livestock and crops, displaced hundreds of thousands of Somalis, and left around 6.2 out of 12.3 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. Nearly 5.5 million people are at risk of contracting water-borne diseases like cholera. While the Gu rainy season has brought in some relief, floods are now expected to increase the number of cholera cases.
