25 January 2017 – The Ministry of Health in Somalia provided WHO with an update on the ongoing outbreak of cholera. Since the last update on 18 January 2017, a total of 930 additional suspected cases of cholera, including 6 deaths have been reported. To date, between 01 January and 22 January 2017, the cumulative number of suspected cases of cholera reported from the country stands at 2236, including 32 deaths with a case fatality rate of 1.4%. Of these reported cases, Vibrio Cholerae 01 has been laboratory confirmed in 10 stool samples collected so far from Bay, Banadir and Lower Shabelle regions. 

In 2016, a cumulative total of 15 619 suspected cases of cholera, including 531 associated deaths, were reported from the country with a case fatality rate of 3.39%.

The current weekly trend of suspected cholera cases continues to increase and be spreading to other locations throughout the country. The health cluster led by WHO, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, UNICEF, OCHA and nongovernmental organizations, continues to strengthen cholera response activities at the national and regional levels. Insecurity and accessibility are greatly hindering the cholera response operations. 

WHO, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, is planning to organize a mass vaccination campaign using oral cholera vaccines in the hot spots with a view to stopping the transmission and spread to other non-affected areas. An operational planning meeting is currently going on in the country with the local partners and through participation of a Regional Office staff member who is currently deployed in Somalia.