December

Angola - Cholera WHO – Africa weekly emergency situation update No. 42
31 Dec 2008
World Health Organization (WHO) [edited] [Promed]
The cholera outbreak is still of high concern. In week 51, a total of 69 new cases and 3 deaths were reported. From January 2008 to 28 Dec 2008, nationwide, 10,507 cases and 243 deaths were reported [CFR 2.3 percent]. The WHO is supporting national authorities to strengthen coordination and response activities.
Related Stories
22 Dec 2008- Cholera WHO – Africa weekly emergency situation update No. 41
World Health Organization (WHO) [edited] [Promed]
The cholera outbreak is still of high concern. On week 50, a total of 131 new cases and 1 death were reported. From January 2008 to 14 Dec 2008, nationwide, 10,186 cases and 232 deaths were reported. The WHO is supporting national authorities to strengthen coordination and response activities.
[12.1.018 A]

Kenya - Cholera WHO – Africa weekly emergency situation update No. 42
31 Dec 2008
World Health Organization (WHO) [edited] [Promed]
Ongoing cholera outbreak in the 3 districts of Mandera. More than 1400 cases, 13 deaths reported since 17 Nov 2008 [CFR less than 1 percent].
Related Stories
22 Dec 2008- Cholera WHO – Africa weekly emergency situation update No. 41
World Health Organization (WHO) [edited] [Promed]
[12.1.017 A]

Zambia - Cholera WHO – Africa weekly emergency situation update No. 42
31 Dec 2008
World Health Organization (WHO) [edited] [Promed]
Cholera outbreak: since the past 2 months, 176 cases with 4 deaths have been reported by the health authorities in Lusaka District [CFR 2.3 percent].
Related Stories
16 Dec 2008- AllAfrica, The Times of Zambia report [edited] [Promed]
Only 19 cases of cholera are currently under treatment in Lusaka District, which recorded 176 patients in the last 2 months, the Ministry of Health has said. The Health Deputy Minister said cholera in Northern, Luapula, and Southern provinces had been brought under control. He added that some of the cholera treatment centres that were set up in Northern and Luapula provinces had been closed while Southern Province had no case of cholera as the 3 patients who were receiving treatment in Mazabuka had recovered and were discharged. "In Lusaka District, over the past 2 months we have seen 176 patients and successfully treated 153. The 4 that we lost died because of getting to our health facilities late, 3 in Kanyama and one in Chawama," he said.
10 Dec 2008- Cholera - (Southern Province) from Zimbabwe
Lusaka Times [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, cholera has broken out in Nameembo area of Mazabuka district with several villagers reportedly admitted to a cholera center. The Mazabuka District Commissioner said the situation was serious and called for concerted efforts in containing the outbreak. The district commissioner, who has attributed the disease outbreak to the dirty and untreated water residents were fetching from contaminated shallow wells. Two months ago, 2 people died of cholera in the Nameembo area.
7 Dec 2008 - Cholera (from Zimbabwe)
The Telegraph (UK) [edited] [Promed]
Zambia has imposed health controls at all 3 of their shared border posts. A Zimbabwean has died at a cholera centre at the Chirundu crossing. There is a ban on importing uncertified food and anyone entering or leaving Zambia is screened for cholera symptoms. The deputy health minister said Zambia was on high alert but he ruled out closing the border.
[12.1.016 A]

South Africa - Cholera WHO – Africa weekly emergency situation update No. 42
31 Dec 2008
World Health Organization (WHO) [edited] [Promed]
Cholera outbreak: as of 26 Dec 2008, 1279 cumulative cases and 12 deaths (CFR 0.9 percent) were reported, with the bulk (1194) in the Limpopo area.
Related Stories
22 Dec 2008- South Africa - Cholera from Zimbabwe
The Right Perspective [edited] [Promed]
The Afrikaans newspaper Beeld has reported over the weekend that cholera has spread to another 3 rural areas within the Limpopo province of South Africa. A spokesperson from the Limpopo health department said that more than 100 people have already been infected in these areas. The Musina hospital in the province has treated close to 900 patients for the disease, most of them Zimbabweans, since mid-November 2008. A total of 8 deaths have been reported in South Africa. It is also reported that the premier of Limpopo declared the Vhembe district in Limpopo a disaster area.
22 Dec 2008 – Cholera - South Africa (Gauteng)
Deutsche Presse-Agentur [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, South African authorities reported new cholera deaths in the province surrounding Johannesburg, indicating that the spread of the disease from Zimbabwe is becoming more pronounced. Another person had died of cholera over the weekend, bringing the province's death count to 3, the spokesman for the health department of Gauteng Province, told the South African Press Association (SAPA) on Monday [22 Dec 2008]. It is reported that Gauteng, home to both the city's economic center of Johannesburg and the national capital of Pretoria, now has 21 positively identified cases of cholera, with the heaviest concentration in the Johannesburg district.
The story goes on by explaining that health officials are worried that there could be further outbreaks of the disease in both Zimbabwe and South Africa over the Christmas holidays, when Zimbabweans who live in South Africa return home to visit relatives, perhaps risking infection and the further spread of the disease.
12 Dec 2008 - Cholera (Gauteng) ex Zimbabwe- Xinhua News Agency [edited] [Promed]
10 Dec 2008 – Cholera - (Limpopo) ex Zimbabwe - Independent Online [edited] [Promed]
7 Dec 2008 - Cholera (all ex Zimbabwe)- The Telegraph (UK) [edited] [Promed]
25 Nov 2008 - Cholera (Limpopo) ex Zimbabwe- ZimOnline [edited] [Promed]
21 Nov 2008 – Cholera (Limpopo) ex Zimbabwe -The Times (South Africa), South African Press Association (SAPA) report [edited] [Promed]
20 Nov 2008 - Cholera (Northern Province) ex Zimbabwe - Agence France-Presse (AFP) [edited] [Promed]
19 Nov 2008 - Cholera (KwaZulu-Natal) ex Zimbabwe - IOL (Independent Online, South Africa) [edited] [Promed]
[12.1.015 A]

Malawi - Cholera WHO – Africa weekly emergency situation update No. 42
31 Dec 2008
World Health Organization (WHO) [edited] [Promed]
The cholera outbreak case numbers are rising. As of 28 Dec 2008, a cumulative total of 248 cases with 11 deaths (CFR 4.4 percent) were reported. The Ministry of Health has 7 treatment sites in Lilongwe district.
Related Stories
17 Dec 2008 - Cholera (Central Region)
African Press Agency [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, cholera in Malawi has claimed 5 lives and more than 80 cases have been recorded at the country's privately-run Likuni Hospital owned by the Catholic Church in the capital Lilongwe, the Director for Preventive Health in the Ministry of Health confirmed on Wednesday [17 Dec 2008]. He told during an interview that the disease was fast spreading among the rural community and that the number of cholera cases had doubled at the hospital since the onset of the rainy season. "Today [17 Dec 2008] the hospital has received 8 cases to increase the number to 88 cholera cases with 5 deaths," he said.
12 Dec 2008 - Cholera (Southern Region)
Nyasa Times [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, barely a day after Balaka district reported the first death of a man suffering from cholera, the government has admitted the disease is fast spreading and 4 people have so far died in Lilongwe alone. However, the government says it has put in place all procedures to control the cholera outbreak, which is slowly sweeping across Malawi.
It is reported that though the minister of health said yesterday [11 Dec 2008] there were no confirmed cases of cholera in government hospitals, his director of Preventive Health Services in the Ministry of Health, confirmed of 36 cholera at Likuni Mission Hospital in Lilongwe out of which 4 people have lost their lives. "Reports from the hospital indicate that 2 patients died right at the hospital because they came a bit late while 2 others are also suspected to have died at their homes from cholera," he said. It is also reported that the ministry has instituted necessary measures to contain the disease not to further spread to other parts of the country and that cholera quarantine shelters were also present in all district health centers. Apart from Lilongwe and Balaka other cases of cholera have been reported in Mwanza, Chikwawa, and Mangochi.
[12.1.014 A]

Guinea-Bissau - Cholera WHO – Africa weekly emergency situation update No. 42
31 Dec 2008
World Health Organization (WHO) [edited] [Promed]
Guinea-Bissau : The trend of cholera outbreak is under control. One non-fatal case was reported on week 51. A cumulative total of 14,220 cases and 225 deaths have been reported since the beginning of the outbreak [CFR 1.6 percent].
Related Stories
8 Dec 2008 - Cholera
Prensa Latina [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, the Office of Hygiene and Epidemiology of Guinea Bissau says the cholera epidemic affecting Guinea Bissau has spread and turned further lethal. Reports on the first week of December 2008 talk of 21 cases and 2 deaths, raising fatalities to 224 and the affected to 14,201, and Bissau stands out as the most affected with 73 deaths and 9378 patients. The outbreak began last May 2008 in the south, and in July 2008, the authorities declared the epidemic out of control, reporting a drop in November 2008 when the rains in West Africa held up.
19 Nov 2008 - Cholera
All Africa, UN Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN) report [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, after more than 6 months of battling cholera in Guinea-Bissau the epidemic is now easing health officials say, though they admit they have not identified its root causes or put in place measures to prevent future outbreaks. It is reported that thus far, 221 people have died and 13,921 have been infected, according to the Ministry of Health. "All the factors that cause cholera remain unaddressed: poverty, deficient sanitary services, lack of drinking water," the head of the cholera unit at the capital Bissau's Simao Mendes hospital, told IRIN. At the epidemic's peak in the final week of September 2008, 1376 new cholera cases were registered and 19 people died, according to the ministry of health, but from 9 to 16 Nov 2008 just 128 new cases and no deaths were reported. It is reported that a decrease in cholera cases is partly due to the end of the rainy season as the disease is spread by bacteria in contaminated water. Health Ministry officials say cholera broke out in May 2008 in the southern region of Tombali, but they still do not know how it spread to the capital, home to the highest number of victims. Nor do epidemiologists understand why the isolated Bijagos Islands had the highest per capita caseload.
20 Oct 2008 -Cholera - UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), ReliefWeb, World Health Organization (WHO) report [edited] [Promed]
14 Oct 2008 - Cholera -UN Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN) report [edited] [Promed]
24 Sep 2008 - World Health Organization Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response Disease Outbreak News
17 Sep 2008 - Reuters [Promed]
11 Sep 2008 – Missionary International Service News Agency [Promed]
7 Sep 2008- Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse (AFP) [edited] [Promed]
16 Aug 2008 - Agence France-Presse
31 July 2008 -Voice of America
28 Jul 2008- Africa News [Promed]
26 May 2008- - AllAfrica, UN Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN) [Promed]
[12.1.013 A]


Botswana - Cholera WHO – Africa weekly emergency situation update No. 42
31 Dec 2008
The cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe has already spread into Botswana where 8 suspected cases and 3 confirmed have been reported as of 17 Dec 2008.
Related Stories
18 Dec 2008
Cholera from Zimbabwe
Daily News Online [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, Botswana has so far recorded 8 suspected cases of cholera. Speaking at a media briefing at the Ministry of Health, the Director of Public Health said of the 8, only 3 have been confirmed to be cholera not 4 as reported in the media. She said 1 case was confirmed in the Serowe/ Palapye area (Sekgoma hospital) while the remaining 2 cases were confirmed in Francistown (Nyangabwe Hospital). All 3 cholera victims are from neighbouring Zimbabwe.
16 Dec 2008 - Cholera (Central Province)
The Daily News, Botswana Press Agency (BOPA) report [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, one confirmed and 3 suspected cases of cholera have been reported in the Tutume Sub-district, making it the 3rd district in Botswana to be affected by cholera. Confirmed cases have already been reported in the North East and Serowe/Palapye areas. According to the Senior Nursing Officer, the cases in the sub-district occurred at the small village of Mafungo/Hubona near Mathangwane. It is reported that health authorities have complained that Mafungo/Hubona has a large influx of Zimbabwean illegal immigrants, and that lack of law enforcement officers in the village significantly contributes to the situation.
7 Dec 2008 - Cholera (from Zimbabwe)
The Telegraph (UK) [edited] [Promed]
At least one Zimbabwean has been treated for cholera in Botswana. Teams have been sent to the border town of Matsiloje, where illegal immigrants live in crowded conditions, to investigate possible infections.
5 Dec 2008- Zimbabwe - Cholera
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), ReliefWeb, WHO report [edited] [Promed]
As of 5 Dec 2008, 13 960 cases of cholera had been reported in 9 of Zimbabwe's 10 provinces (44 out of 59 districts), with 589 deaths (case fatality rate (CFR) 4.2 percent). Most cases were in Harare/Budiriro (7563 cases and 189 deaths; CFR 2.5 percent), followed by Beitbridge (3245 cases and 86 deaths; CFR 2.7 percent), Mudzi (1234 cases and 57 deaths; CFR 4.6 percent), and Chitungwiza (315 cases and 78 deaths; CFR 28.8 percent. Higher CFRs have been reported in a number of other areas. Major causes for the current outbreak are: lack of clean drinking water and sanitation, weak health services, and health staff strike, mainly by nurses. Health staff are unable to obtain salaries from banks due to the acute shortage of banknotes, making it too burdensome and expensive to travel to work.
[12.1.012 A]


Zimbabwe - Cholera WHO – Africa weekly emergency situation update No. 42
31 Dec 2008
World Health Organization (WHO) [edited] [Promed]
The cholera outbreak is not yet under control. As of 25 Dec 2008, a total of 26,497 cases with 1518 deaths (CFR 5.7 percent) have been reported in 2/3rds of the country's 62 districts. The WHO and other partners are supporting the response activities.
Related Stories
10 Dec 2008- Agence France Presse [edited]
A cholera epidemic in Zimbabwe has killed 775 people with 16,141 suspected cases reported across the African nation, according to new World Health Organization data released on Wednesday [10 Dec 2008]. "Approximately half of cases have been recorded in Budiriro, a heavily populated suburb on the western outskirts of the capital, Harare," said WHO. Other badly hit areas include Beitbridge, which borders South Africa and Mudzi, which borders Mozambique, it added. Earlier, the UN humanitarian affairs bureau said the death toll had reached 746, with 15,572 suspected cases reported. The capital Harare is the worst-affected district with 189 deaths and 7653 suspected cases recorded as of 9 Dec 2008, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a statement.
5 Dec 2008- Zimbabwe - Cholera - UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), ReliefWeb, WHO report [edited] [Promed]
3 Dec 2008- River water contamination – Zimbabwe and South Africa -UN Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN) [edited] [Promed]
3 Dec 2008- Cholera (Eastern Cape) ex Zimbabwe - Independent Online [edited] [Promed]
2 Dec 2008 - Further spread in and outside Zimbabwe- World Health Organization (WHO) [edited] [Promed]
30 Nov 2008 - Cholera - Agence France Presse (AFP) [edited] [Promed]
25 Nov 2008 -Cholera - BBC News [edited] [Promed]
21 Nov 2008 - Zimbabwe - Cholera- Agence France-Presse (AFP) [edited] [Promed]
21 Nov 2008 – Cholera - Zimbabwe (Bulawayo) -Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) [edited] [Promed]
20 Nov 2008- Zimbabwe - Cholera (Midlands Province)- China View, Xinhua News Agency report [edited] [Promed]
19 Nov 2008- Zimbabwe - Cholera (Masvingo)- The Zimbabwean [edited] [Promed]
18 Nov 2008- Cholera (Matabeleland South)- The Chronicle [edited] [Promed]
18 Nov 2008 – Cholera (Mashonaland East)- Medecins Sans Frontieres [edited] [Promed]
17 Nov 2008 – Cholera - (Mashonaland East)- Afrique en Ligne, Panafrican News Agency (PANA) report [edited] [Promed]
11 Nov 2008 - Zimbabwe - Cholera - UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), ReliefWeb, Int Fed of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies report [edited] [Promed]
21 Oct 2008 - Cholera (Mashonaland West)- Associated Press (AP) [edited] [Promed]
9 Oct 2008 - Cholera (Mashonaland West)- Afrique en Ligne [edited] [Promed]
20 Sep 2008 - Zimbabwe - Cholera (Mashonaland East) African Press Agency [edited] [Promed]
4 Sep 2008 - Cholera - (Mashonaland East) The Earth Times, Deutsche Presse Agentur (DPA) report [edited] [Promed]
4 Sep 2008 – Cholera
Voice of America [edited] [Promed]
[12.1.011 A]


Mozambique: - Cholera WHO – Africa weekly emergency situation update No. 42
31 Dec 2008
World Health Organization (WHO) [edited] [Promed]
The cholera outbreak is ongoing. 8 provinces are now affected from a total of 11 provinces. In week 51, a total of 153 new cases without death were reported. Cumulative total since week 34 is 1738 cases with 31 deaths [CFR 1.8 percent]. The WHO and partners are supporting the control of the outbreak.
Related Stories
22 Dec 2008- Cholera WHO – Africa weekly emergency situation update No. 41
World Health Organization (WHO) [edited] [Promed]
The cholera outbreak is ongoing. 6 provinces are affected. On week 50, a total of 131 new cases with 2 deaths were reported. Cumulative total since week 34 is 1585 cases with 31 deaths. The WHO and partners are supporting the control of the outbreak.
The cholera outbreak is not yet under control. As of 18 Dec 2008, a total of 20,896 with 1123 deaths (CFR, 5.4 percent) have been reported in 2/3s of the country's 62 districts. The WHO and other partners are supporting the response activities.
10 Dec 2008- Mozambique- Cholera (Manica) - (from Zimbabwe)
Independent Online [edited] [Promed]
At least 4 people have died from 20 cases of cholera reported in Mozambique's Mossurize district on the border with Zimbabwe since 4 Dec 2008, the daily Noticias reported on Wednesday [10 Dec 2008]. The Mossurize district administrator said that 16 people were detained at a local health center in Macuo
1 Dec 2008 – South Africa - Cholera (Limpopo, Mpumalanga) ex Zimbabwe
Sowetan [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, the death toll as a result of cholera infection has risen to 5 in Limpopo, while in Mpumalanga, 2 people were found to have contracted the disease over the weekend.
This brings to 6 the total number of people who have died since the outbreak of the waterborne disease 2 weeks ago. One person died in KwaZulu-Natal last week after being diagnosed with the infection. The Limpopo department of health and social development spokesman said 2 people died over the weekend after contracting the disease. One of them died shortly after he was admitted to the Messina Hospital, while another one died at a rehydration centre in Madimbo, an area outside Musina that is used by most Zimbabweans to cross into South Africa. It is reported that of the total number of deaths, 2 were South Africans who had allegedly visited Zimbabwe, and the rest are Zimbabweans. Departmental records yesterday [30 Nov 2008] showed that at least 363 patients had been treated in various hospitals in Limpopo. 81 of them have been admitted to the Musina, Siloam and Donald Fraser hospitals.
[12.1.010 A]

Congo DR - Cholera WHO – Africa weekly emergency situation update No. 42
31 Dec 2008
World Health Organization (WHO) [edited] [Promed]
The cholera outbreak is ongoing in North Kivu; during week 51 a total of 137 new cases with 1 death [CFR 0.7 percent] were reported.
Related Stories
22 Dec 2008- Cholera WHO – Africa weekly emergency situation update No. 41- World Health Organization (WHO) [edited] [Promed]
According to the UN mission (MONUC), the security situation remains precarious in the zones of North Kivu controlled by the Congres National pour la Defense du Peuple (CNDP). The cholera outbreak is ongoing; during week 50 a total of 125 new cases without death were reported versus 232 cases with 1 death on week 49.
16 Dec 2008 -Cholera (eastern provinces)
International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) [edited] [Promed]
Since early October 2008, high morbidity and mortality rates associated with a cholera epidemic outbreak have been registered in the Maniema, Katanga, North and South Kivu provinces. Ministry of Health (MoH) statistics show that more than 25,503 cholera cases had been registered, including 515 deaths in the localities mentioned below. The following are statistics from the MoH.
In Katanga province, more than 10,214 cases and 229 deaths have been registered and Red Cross efforts will be concentrated on towns such as Lubumbashi, Likasi, Kolwezi, Bukama and Kasenga localities where the mortality rate is very high. In the last week of November 2008, the Kipushi health zone was noted as one of the most affected, with several cases registered. A Red Cross team was sent to the field to assess the situation in the Kipushi health zone which is also reported to be badly affected.
In Maniema province the focus is on the Kailo, Alunguli, Kindu and Basoko health zones, where according to the Maniema provincial committee of the RCDRC, 189 cases and 11 deaths have been registered over the past weeks. This information has been confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO).
In North Kivu, where ICRC is working, the health zones of Binza, Bwambizo, Goma, Karisimbi, Kirotche, Masisi, Rutchuru and Walikale are most affected, with nearly 8826 cases and more than 229 deaths registered out of a total population of 1,272,981 inhabitants. The possibility to carry out sensitization, disinfection, environmental hygiene and water chlorination is more difficult in this region due to the ongoing conflict. The numbers registered are those recorded in the local hospital and do not include those occurring in other health centres or at home. By the same period, well more than 5000 cases have been registered in South Kivu, with the most affected health zones including Minova (which shares boundaries with North Kivu), Nundu, Baraka/Fizi (which is an endemic zone), Kalehe, Ruzizi, Katana, Kabare, the town of Bukavu, Kadutu and Bagira. 1229 cases have been registered so far in these localities alone, and there are indications that this number is growing rapidly.
Overall, there is clear concern that the numbers are of a significant level and there is a serious risk of the disease further spreading in the 4 provinces already affected and also beyond. In which case, the RCDRC, supported by the International Federation, needs to be prepared to respond in those provinces not supported by the ICRC.
12 Dec 2008
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN) News [edited] [Promed]
The lack of clean drinking water and proper hygiene fueled the spread of cholera in the south and southwest of the Republic of Congo, says the Congolese Red Cross, which has just completed a campaign to teach people how to recognize and stem the spread of the disease. It said the cholera outbreak began in the Bouenza region in February 2008 and that by the end of November 2008 127 cases of the disease and 3 deaths had been registered. At least 22 other cases have been reported in the Kinkassa area and in the Pool region, which surrounds the capital, Brazzaville. A representative of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies that said the lack of hygiene and clean drinking water explained the rise of cholera, which is sometimes called the "dirty-hands disease." In Congo, only 14 percent of people have access to clean drinking water in rural areas, while in the towns and cities this rises to nearly 60 percent.
18 Nov 2008 - (North Kivu)- Easy Bourse [edited] [Promed]
14 Nov 2008 – Cholera - Congo DR: WHO report -ThaiPR , WHO (World Health Organization) press release [edited] [Promed]
11 Nov 2008 - Cholera, refugees (North Kivu)- The Guardian (UK) [edited] [Promed]
3 Oct 2008 – Cholera- International Herald Tribune (IHT), Associated Press (AP) report [edited][Promed]
30 Sep 2008- Congo DR - 17 dead out of 116 cases of cholera among displaced (North Kivu)
Caritas [in French, trans. & summ. JW, edited] [Promed]
Due to limited access due to insecurity, no humanitarian mission could go to Ngungu during last week [of 22 Sep 2008], where 116 cases of cholera have been reported, with 17 dead, among 25,000 displaced people in the camp located about 60 km west of Goma.
[12.1.009 A]

Ethiopia- Cholera WHO – Africa weekly emergency situation update No. 41
22 Dec 2008
World Health Organization (WHO) [edited] [Promed]
No new cases of acute watery diarrhea have been reported in the past 4 weeks. From 1 Jan 2008 to 30 Nov 2008, total cumulative cases and deaths nationally were 3804 and 23 respectively in 54 districts. The WHO continues technical support to strengthen surveillance, early warning system, assessment and response.
Related Stories
20 Oct 2008 - Cholera
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), ReliefWeb, World Health Organization (WHO) report [edited] [Promed]
Acute watery diarrhea [= cholera] epidemics are reported in the country. As of 5 Oct 2008, cumulative cases and deaths nationally are 3675 and 22 respectively. WHO, UNICEF (United Nations Children Fund), and major NGOs (non-governmental organizations) are supporting the Ministry of Health for the outbreak control.
[12.1.008 A]

Burundi - Cholera (Cibitoke)
22 Dec 2008
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) [edited] [Promed]
The first cholera case was reported in Rugombo commune / Cibitoke province on 14 Nov 2008 and confirmed by the laboratory of National Institute for Public Health (INSP) 3 days later. Until 19 Dec 2008, a total of 96 cases including one home death were treated in Cibitoke hospital and other health centres. The most affected area is Rugombo commune with a total of 60 cases.
[12.1.007 A]

South Africa- Cholera (Western Cape Province) NOT from Zimbabwe
18 Dec 2008
Independent Online [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, a 4-month-old baby is being treated for cholera at the Karl Bremer Hospital in Western Cape, the province's health department said on Thursday [18 Dec 2008]. The Spokesperson said the child from Wallacedene informal settlement in Kraaifontein had been stabilized. It is reported that the child was admitted on 6 Dec 2008 and that he had no history of recent travel to Zimbabwe and or close contact with a cholera case. Laboratory investigations on contacts of this case were negative for the disease, said the spokeperson.
Related stories
16 Dec - 08 - Cholera
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) [edited] [Promed]
Epidemiological data as of 10 Dec 2008
Province / Cumulative cases / Cumulative deaths / Lab confirmed
Limpopo / 664 / 8 / 21
Gauteng / 40 / 2 / 15
Mpumalanga / 1 / 0 / 1
KwaZulu Natal / 2 / 1 / 2
Northwest / 1 / 0 / 1
East Cape / 1 / 0 / 1
Northern Cape / 1 / - / 1
Total / 720 / 11 / 4
[12.1.006 A]


Nigeria - Cholera (Niger state)
18 Dec 2008
Nigerian Tribune [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, an outbreak of cholera in the Egbagi Majin village in Kede district of Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State has reportedly claimed 8 lives, one of them being the wife of the village head. A majority of those who died, according to a report from the village, were women. Nigerian Tribune has learned that about 15 others were hospitalized as a result of the outbreak. According to a source in the area, the outbreak could have been as a result of contaminated water being drunk by the villagers who were just relocating after a flood disaster 2 months ago.
[12.1.005 A]

Uganda - Cholera (Arua)
17 Dec 2008
The Monitor Online [edited][Promed]
It is reported that the poor Arua residents are grappling with endemic cholera as the Oli Division in the Municipality is facing an outbreak of the disease in low-income neighborhoods. In just a month, over 38 cases have been registered, mainly in the division, including 3 deaths district-wide. Statistics indicate that 28 people have been admitted at Oli Health Centre with one death case.
[12.1.004 A]


Uganda - Cholera, refugees (Kanungu)
10 Dec 2008
The Monitor [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, a cholera outbreak in the newly-created Matanda Refugee Camp in Kihiihi Sub-county, Kanungu District has killed 2 people and affected more than a dozen others, raising fears that it could spread to the residents. The UNHCR spokesperson at the camp said they were battling the disease and had already isolated some people to curb the spread of the disease.
[12.1.003 A]

Nigeria - Cholera (Rivers State)
10 Dec 2008
Bloomberg [edited] [Promed]
It is reported that an outbreak of cholera in the riverine community of Kula in Nigeria's Rivers state killed 10 people, a health official said.
“We have already dispatched a medical team to the area with the necessary drugs and materials to curtail the spread of the disease” Dr. Samson Parker, Rivers state’s commissioner for health, said in an interview in Port Harcourt today. Residents have been told to boil water for drinking until other arrangements can be made, he said.
[12.1.002 A]

Uganda - New hepatitis strain reported in Bundibugyo
9 Dec 2008
The Daily Monitor online [edited] [Promed]
A new strain of hepatitis has been reported in the Bundibugyo District and it has already claimed a life. According to the district health officer, the disease had killed a resident of Bundikeki village in Bubukwanga Sub-county about 2 weeks ago. He told the Daily Monitor that 2 other people infected by the disease were admitted to Bundibugyo Hospital and placed in an isolation ward.
He said the patients develop high blood pressure, yellow eyes, and headache
[12.1.001 A]

November

Congo DR- Cholera (Pool)
20 Nov 2008
Afrique en Ligne, Panafrican News Agency (PANA) report [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, at least 26 people are suffering from cholera in the Kinkakassa Village, in the southern Congolese Pool District, a source close to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Africa told PANA here on Wednesday [19 Nov 2008]. The outbreak was first reported about two weeks ago, but no deaths from the disease have so far been reported.
It is reported that cholera was diagnosed in Kinkakassa following a dramatic surge of diarrhea cases in the area..
[11.1.006 A]

Uganda – Botulism (Kampala)
18 Nov 2008
Afrique en Ligne [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, botulism has occurred in Uganda, the US-based Centers for Disease Control (CDC) confirmed after tests done on a high school student who died in October 2008. The Ministry of Health said that a senior student at Seeta High School in Mukono district, 20 kilometers (12.4 mi) east of the capital Kampala, died of botulism, a disease, which last was reported in the landlocked East African country 30 years ago. "The test results from CDC in Atlanta, USA, on the 2 cases admitted at Mulago Hospital last month [October 2008] confirmed botulism," said the director of general health services, in a statement on Tuesday [18 Nov 2008]. "Current evidence from the investigation suggests that the foods consumed by the affected girls a few hours or days before the onset of the illness was contaminated by the botulism toxin," the Doctor said. The ministry ruled out earlier speculation that the deceased student must have been a victim of food contaminated by poison at her Seeta High School's kitchen.
Related stories
12 Nov 2008 - Uganda - Bad canned food kills student
The New Vision - Conan Businge [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, the Seeta High School student who died recently was not poisoned, but died of botulism, medical reports have revealed. The Director General of health service, yesterday said a Senior Five student, died of botulism, according to reports from the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and the health ministry. It is reported that on the morning of Monday, October 20, the student was taken to the school’s sickbay, with pain in the throat and breathing complications. She was taken to International Hospital Kampala, where she died five days later. The news article indicates also that a student’s friend, who had a day before complained of vision problems, is admitted at a Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit. Another student who was a fortnight ago admitted alongside, has since been discharged. “When the student died, we took samples from all the girls’ property that we could get and sent them to CDC-Atlanta, for investigations. We also did a post-mortem of the student,” the Director said. He said results from the samples are expected in the next two weeks. “We tried to trace all that they had eaten and used.” The Director said it was discovered that this was foodborne botulism.
[11.1.005 A]

Mozambique - Cholera
18 Nov 2008
Bloomberg [edited] [Promed]
Cholera has killed at least 12 people in central Mozambique, state broadcaster Televisao de Mozambique reported, citing Armando Tonela, head of health services in the region.
With about 120 more reported cases, the central districts of Alto Moloque, Alto Ligonha, and Gurue, north of Maputo, are braced for a worsening of the outbreak as the rainy season approaches, the broadcaster said.
Related stories
18 Nov 2008 – Cholera (Manica)
AllAfrica, Agencia de Informacao de Mocambique (Maputo) report [edited] [Promed]
The cholera outbreak in Guro district, in the central Mozambican province of Manica, which began in late October 2008, has now spread to new areas surrounding the villages of Chinda, Thanda, Bunga, and Nhamassonje, but no new deaths were recorded, reports Tuesday's [18 Nov 2008] issue of the Maputo daily 'Noticias'. The Guro district administrator told reporters that there were 17 people hospitalised at the Cholera Treatment Centre in Chinda on Monday [17 Nov 2008], while 8 others had been transferred from Thanda and Bunga to Changara, in neighbouring Tete province. According to this story, since the outbreak of the disease in Guro, which is blamed on the consumption of untreated water, 200 cases have been diagnosed, with a total of 53 deaths.
11 Nov 2008 - Mozambique - Cholera
Reuters Foundation AlertNet , UN Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN) News report [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, fears that cholera may be spreading throughout central Mozambique has forced the government to issue the highest state of alert. "We are dealing with a cholera outbreak and unfortunately it has already started spreading," the secretary general of the Red Cross in Mozambique told IRIN., "Samples collected for laboratory examination confirmed a cholera epidemic on the 5 Nov 2008." It is reported that some 250 cases and 48 fatalities have been registered. A rapid assessment conducted by Oxfam, the British-based development NGO, pointed to Guro district in the central Manica Province as the epicentre, and indicated that the outbreak started on 24 Oct [2008]. New cases have also been registered in Tete and Zambezia provinces.
[11.1.004 A]

Uganda - Cholera (Kanungu) ex Congo DR
17 Nov 2008
The New Vision (Uganda) [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, at least one person has been reported dead of suspected cholera among the Congolese refugees who entered Uganda. An official with the Red Cross said about 1200 people, who intended to cross to Uganda have been denied entry by the army on the Congo side. They were reportedly living in unhygienic conditions, which makes the disease spread quickly. However, they entered Uganda after the soldiers who were preventing them from entering the country fled to an unknown place on Wednesday [12 Nov 2008].
[11.1.003 A]

Angola – Schistosomiasis
16 Nov 2008
Xinhua Net [edited] [Promed]
Schistosomiasis -- which broke out in Kindeje, Nzeto district, northern Ziare province, Angola in October 2008 -- has killed at least 9 people, a local health official said on Friday [14 Nov 2008].
The head of the Nzeto District Health Bureau, told reporters that since October 2008, more than 300 cases of the illness have been diagnosed. According to him, the cause of the expansion of the disease is the poor quality of the water consumed by local people from rivers, lagoons and wells.
[11.1.002 A]

Tanzania – Milk contaminated with melamine
12 Nov 2008
The Citizen (Dar es Salaam) [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, samples of the Chinese milk impounded in Dar es Salaam and sent to South Africa in October [2008] for tests have been found to be contaminated with the killer chemical melamine. A confidential report seen by The Citizen indicates that the chemical was found in 3 of the 9 samples the Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA) provided during the investigation. It is reported that the authority had seized 34 tonnes in its crackdown on milk imports following the Chinese scare, but the sample tested and found to contain melamine, was taken from 7 tonnes, which a single trader had imported.
[11.1.001A]

October

South Africa - Contaminated food leaves 83 people sick in E Cape
29 Oct 2008
SABC News [edited] [iFSN]
According to this story, eighty-three people from Mthombe village in Libode in the Eastern Cape are suffering from diarrhea after apparently eating contaminated food at a cleansing ceremony. It is reported that two days after the festivities, scores of residents become ill and were rushed to the St Barnabas hospital as their situation worsened. In the wake of The National Consumer Forum saying some retailers tend to move faulty products to rural areas - the Department of Health is urging residents to check food expiry dates.
[10.1.014 A]

Somalia - Cholera (Galguduud)
21 Oct 2008
Press TV Iran [edited] [Promed]
The Press TV correspondent in South Mogadishu reported on Tuesday [21 Oct 2008] that about 15 people died of cholera in Cabudwaaq town of the Galguduud region due to lack of clean drinking water and medicines to treat the disease.
[10.1.013 A]

DR Congo - Cholera
20 Oct 2008
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), ReliefWeb, World Health Organization (WHO) report [edited] [Promed]
Outbreaks of cholera are reported in several provinces: Katanga (146 new cases with 12 deaths in week 40 [week of 29 Sep 2008]), North Kivu (95 new cases with no deaths in week 40), South Kivu (217 new cases with 1 death in week 40). WHO and other health partners are supporting the health authorities for the control of these outbreaks.
[10.1.012 A]


Niger - Cholera
20 Oct 2008
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), ReliefWeb, World Health Organization (WHO) report [edited] [Promed]
The situation is still dominated by the cholera outbreak in the region of Tahoua and Maradi. In week 41 [week of 6 Oct 2008], the number of cases is decreasing with 25 cases and no deaths reported versus 84 cases and 3 deaths in week 40 [week of 29 Sep 2008]. A total of 948 cases and 70 deaths have been reported since the beginning of the outbreak. WHO is supporting the health authorities to control the cholera outbreak with cholera kits and essential drugs.
[10.1.011 A]

Nigeria - Cholera (Gombe)
20 Oct 2008
AllAfrica, Leadership (Abuja) report [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, cholera and diarrhea have hit Zone 'F' preliminary games camp of the 16th Nigeria College of Education Games (NICEGA) being held at the Federal College of Education in Gombe, with no fewer than 5 participants in serious condition. A Leadership Sports check revealed that there were complaints about the acute shortage of water supply, mattresses, and hostel rooms.
[10.1.010 A]



Botswana – Foodborne Illness (Southern)
16 Oct 2008
All Africa, Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone) report [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, In a shocking case of food poisoning in Kanye, a child is said to have died, whilst about a hundred were admitted to Kanye Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Hospital. According to Kanye deputy officer commanding, a 9-year-old girl died last weekend [11-12 Oct 2008] after eating food at a funeral in Selokolela, a settlement several kilometers west of Kanye. He said that the girl was dead upon arrival at Athlone Hospital in Lobatse..
[10.1.009 A]

Uganda - Hepatitis E spreads, IDPs [internally displaced persons] most vulnerable
14 Oct 2008
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN) News [edited] [Promed]
As of Mon 13 Oct 2008, hepatitis E is on the increase in Uganda's northern district of Pader, where it has claimed scores of lives and infected thousands in the past year, officials said.
Since May [2008], there have been 55 new infections and 7 deaths in Pader, according to a health official in Pader. Since 2007, the viral disease has infected up to 8000 people in neighbouring Kitgum district alone, and killed 129. The disease has since spread to the districts of Pader, Gulu, Adjumani, and Amuru. The Pader deputy commissioner said the majority of those infected in the district were internally displaced persons (IDPs). Poor sanitation has contributed to the spread of the disease, with some IDPs lacking pit latrines and others drinking unsafe water from unprotected sources, leaving them prone to infection. The infected were being treated at Kalongo, the main hospital in the district, as well as in health centres in Pader, Acholi Bur, Pajule, and Patongo areas. A local leader in Pader, said the situation was worrying because in most of the villages IDPs are returning to do not have adequate functional health centres. Moreover, people in the neighbouring district of Kotido also risk infection of hepatitis E following an influx of Karimojong people looking for food and water. At least 346 Karimojong women and children have crossed into Pader district and settled in the sub-counties of Adilang, Lapono, Paimol, Kalongo, and Parabongo, adjacent to Abim and Kotido districts.
Related stories
16 Oct 2008 - Kitgum gets 64 new cases of hepatitis E (Kitgum)
The New Vision, Uganda [edited] [Promed]
05 Sep 2008 - Hepatitis E continues to bite; 7727 cases registered
Relief Web [edited] [Promed]
13 Aug 2008 - Death toll from hepatitis E in northern Uganda is rising
Daily Monitor [edited] [Promed]
6 Aug 2008 - Uganda - Hepatitis E
Daily Monitor online [edited] [Promed]
1 Aug 2008- Hepatitis E death toll reaches 98
15 Jul 2008- Yahoo Noticias, Telemundo, Reuters report
20 Jun 2008- IRIN
28 May 2008- The New Vision
12 May 2008- Daily Monitor
3 Mar 2008- ReliefWeb, The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
[10.1.008 A]


Mozambique - Cholera (Niassa)
9 Oct 2008
AllAfrica, Agencia de Informacao de Mocambique (Maputo) report [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, a cholera outbreak in the town of Cuamba, in the northern Mozambican province of Niassa, has killed 12 of the 277 people diagnosed with the disease so far. The director of the Cuamba district health services said that the main cause of the cholera outbreak is the poor supply of drinking water in the town, together with poor hygiene habits. The outbreak began in late August 2008, and this is the first time that Cuamba has been struck by cholera outside of the rainy season. The town is going through a serious water crisis. "In the few rivers where one can still find some water, it is highly contaminated, but this is the only alternative for the residents, because the wells have completely dried up. An average of 7 people suffering from cholera are being admitted to the Cuamba Rural Hospital every day.
[10.1.007 A]

Benin - Cholera (Bourgou)
9 Oct 2008
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), ReliefWeb, Int Fed of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) report [edited] [Promed]
Since the last week of September 2008, cases of cholera have been reported in Malanville and Karimana in the northern part of Benin. According to the Red Cross of Benin, about 90 cases were referred to health centres in the 2 districts. By 2 Oct 2008, the epidemic has spread to other northern districts of Djougou and Bassilla with over 600 cases reported in the affected communities, according to the Red Cross. No deaths have been reported. Reported cases are increasing, and if the epidemic is not quickly controlled it could potentially spread to other neighboring communities. The district of Karimana is recording the highest number of cases thus far. Health officials in the locality have been deployed in the district to give medical assistance to affected persons. The Red Cross volunteers deployed in the affected communities could only carry out sensitization on good hygiene practice in a few accessible areas. A similar outbreak was reported during the month of August 2008 in Cotonou, the commercial capital of Benin.
Related Stories
28 Sep 2008 - Cholera (Bourgou)
Afrique en Ligne [edited] [Promed]
Sources close to Benin's Public Health ministry told PANA [Panafrican News Agency] Sunday [28 Sep 2008], 40 cholera cases have been reported in Malanville, northeastern Benin, close to Niger. All the reported cases are already being treated free of charge. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently presented treatment kits worth CFAF 17 million [USD 36 442] to Benin, which has set aside CFAF 211 million [USD 452 184] to efficiently control the pandemic. Under the budget, clean drinking water would be provided in the affected areas, solid waste dumps destroyed and the environment cleaned up.
[10.1.006 A]

Tanzania - Cholera (Rukwa)
8 Oct 2008
IOL (Independent Online, South Africa) [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, 4 people died of cholera and 70 more have been admitted to health centres following a fresh outbreak in southern Tanzania. The first death was reported a week ago in the southwestern Rukwa region, the Mpanda District Commissioner said. The disease has since spread to several parts of the district and more than 70 patients have been admitted to different health centres, he said. An outbreak in northern Tanzania killed at least 13 people in September [2008].
[10.1.005 A]

Nigeria - Cholera (Kaduna)
7 Oct 2008
Leadership Nigeria [edited] [Promed]
Following an outbreak of cholera in Zonkwa, headquarters of Zangon Kataf local government area of Kaduna State, about 9 persons have reportedly lost their lives within one week; and it is reported that the number might have increased.
[10.1.004 A]


Uganda - Cholera (Kampala)
7 Oct 2008
New Vision [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, so far, 40 cases of cholera have been reported in Kinawataka, a Kampala suburb since the disease break out last month [September 2008]. It is reported that 8 victims were undergoing treatment at the Mulago Hospital cholera isolation camp. Three people, including a 5-year-old child, died at the beginning of September 2008, while the 4th victim died at the end of the month. Cholera usually hits the city suburbs during rainy seasons. The most prone areas are Kawempe, Kisenyi, Kamwokya, and Kalerwe.
29 Sep 2008 - Cholera (Kampala)
The New Vision [edited] [Promed]
Mulago Hospital has set up a cholera isolation unit after confirming an outbreak of the disease in some parts of Kampala. Two cholera victims from Kinawataka-Katogo zone in Nakawa division were treated at the unit yesterday [28 Sep 2008]. 29 cases had been reported from the area. Since the outbreak 2 weeks ago, 3 people have been reported dead. The outbreak is attributed to poor water supply and poor sanitation in the slum, located in a swampy area. The most affected areas are Kawempe, Kisenyi, Kamwokya, and Kalerwa
[10.1.003 A]

Senegal - Cholera - (Kaolack)
4 Oct 2008
Walf Fadjri [in French, trans. & summ. Mod.LL, edited] [Promed]
A cholera outbreak has been newly declared in villages of Ndoffane and Kaffrine, which have respectively recorded in recent days 14 and 2 cases. The last figures noted within the 2 villages, add to the overall number of now 481 since July 2008. The persons affected are in the health region of Kasnack in Kaolack.
[10.1.002 A]

Nigeria - Cholera - (Sokoto)
3 Oct 2008
AllAfrica, Daily Trust (Abuja) report [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, no fewer than 21 people have been reported dead in some villages in Kware and Wamakko local government areas of Sokoto State. The breakdown from health officials in the affected local government areas shows that 14 people died in Kware while 7 died in Wamakko local government area. It is reported that in Maruda village of Kware, 13 children and an adult died from the disease while the director of health in Wamakko local government confirmed the death of 7 people in the area. Meanwhile, the state commissioner of information has confirmed that only 2 people lost their lives at the hospital "and that is the only figure we have officially but I am not overruling a number of deaths outside the hospital." The commissioner said the outbreak was reported in 12 local government areas of the state "but only 3 are now having reported cases." The 3 local governments are, Kware, Dange Shuni, and Wamakko.
[10.1.001 A]

September

Ghana - Cholera (Greater Accra)
25 Sep 2008
My Joy Online, Ghana News Service report [edited] [EatSafeGhana]
Ghana Health Service (GHS) on Thursday cautioned the general public of a cholera outbreak in the Accra metropolis. The Regional Director of Health Service advised the public not to panic when struck by the disease but rather quickly attend the nearest health centre for free treatment, take in plenty of water or Oral Re-hydrated Salt to control it. The Director urged the communities to ask their assemblies for more public toilets with hand washing facilities and also to build their own latrines that were properly protected from flies.
Related stories
22 September 2008 - Health alert!: You can’t fight cholera with indiscipline
My Joy Online, Ghana News Service report [edited] [EatSafeGhana]
The Eastern Regional Director of Ghana Health Service, Dr. Erasmus Agongo has painted a dangerous picture of how Ghanaians through carelessness, have to eat back our own faeces.
According to Dr. Agongo, most Ghanaians contract cholera just because they fail to adhere to simple environmental practices. Dr. Agongo passed the comment in an interview with ASEMPA NEWS at the launch of a National Campaign For Improved Environmental Sanitation in the Akuapem South Municipal Assembly of the Eastern Region. The programme is being spearheaded by Zoom Lion Ghana, in collaboration with the ministries of Health, Local Government & Rural Development and Environment as well as Employment, Manpower and Youth. Dr. Agongo noted that even though cholera is an ancient disease, people have done little to show commitment in curbing it and its effects on society. He was blunt that the major agents that feed on the faecal matter individuals and in many instances society fail to properly dispose off, are the same flies that come to settle on foods, thereby making people eat back the waste products, which eventually result in cholera outbreak. Communications Director of Zoom Lion Ghana, Mrs. Isabella Gyau-Orhin told ASEMPA NEWS that, the campaign which has been christened "tin-ton-tan, ye ne efi to nkwanta a yapae" (we say no to filth), is one of several programmes being introduced by Zoom Lion to educate people on the need to keep clean their environment, and spend less on their medical bills.
[09.1.010 A]

Kenya – Schistosomiasis
25 Sep 2008
All Africa, The Nation (Nairobi) report [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, an outbreak of suspected schistosomiasis has been reported in Ganze constituency, Kilifi District. Health officials said residents relied on contaminated water from a local pan [shallow, flat, body of water that goes dry seasonally] near Malomani primary school in Malomani sub-location, which they shared with their livestock. An official at Ganze Health Centre, who requested anonymity, told the Kilifi district commissioner [DC] that there had been an upsurge in the number of cases of diarrhoea. "At least 30 cases have been reported at the health centre after residents of Malomani, Mitsenzini, Ganze, Migodomani, and Dungicha villages came to seek treatment," he said. "People are coming from different villages for treatment complaining of diarrhoea and stomach pains. A majority of affected youths have been passing urine mixed with blood, indicating they are suffering from bilharzias [schistosomiasis]," the officer said.
[09.1.009 A]

Malawi – Rabies in human – Beef consumption
23 Sep 2008
The Daily Times (Malawi) [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, more than 1000 people from Traditional Authority Chikumbu in Mulanje [District] are feared to have contracted rabies after eating beef from an infected cow. [Malawi's administrative divisions include districts, traditional authorities (TA), and local government wards. - Mod.AS] The cow, according to veterinary officials, died early this month [September 2008] after showing rabies symptoms and members of the community were told to dispose of the animal but they instead started selling it. The Mulanje District health officer said since last week [week of 15 Sep 2008], about 800 people have received anti rabies vaccine but there are more who have not
Related stories
27 Sep 2008 – Rabies outbreak traced to beef
The New York Times [edited] [iFSN]
According to this story, more than 1,000 people are believed to have contracted rabies after eating beef from an infected cow, The Daily Times of Malawi reported this week.
[09.1.008 A]

South Africa - Delegation to probe school food poisoning
22 Sep 2008
Pretoria News - Sapa [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, a delegation has been sent to a Primary School on Gauteng's West Rand after several children there were hospitalised with food poisoning on Friday. Last Friday, 70 of the 428 pupils at the school in Slovoville became ill, allegedly after eating soft porridge served by the school's feeding scheme.
[09.1.007 A]

Nigeria - Cholera (Kano)
15 Sep 2008
This Day [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, no fewer than 5 people were feared dead as a result of an outbreak of cholera in some local government areas of Kano state. Although the disease is yet to assume epidemic status, the State Commissioner for Health said her ministry had swung into action to tackle the situation. She attributed the development to the consumption of unhygienic foods or drinks, describing such foods to include vegetable salads and fruits and contaminated food and water, which, if not properly prepared, could become vehicles for the infection and spread of cholera.
Related stories
22 Sep 2008 - Cholera (north)
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN) News [edited] [Promed]
Local government officials say cholera outbreaks across Katsina, Zamfara, Bauchi, and Kano states in northern Nigeria have killed 97 people in the past 2 weeks, making it the worst outbreak in the north for several years, according to an official from National Primary Healthcare Agency (NPHA) in Abuja. More than 60 people have died in Zamfara state in the past 2 weeks, according to the Zamfara's state commissioner for religious affairs. He said the death toll may be higher as reports of new infections are still coming in. In Katsina state in the villages of Makadawa and Kagadama, 20 people, mostly women and children, have died while 30 others have been hospitalized according to local government chairman Masur Usman Murnai. Another 9 people have died in Nabardo village in Bauchi state since 13 Sep [2008], with 40 more affected, according to a primary health care coordinator. The Kano State's health told IRIN 5 people have died of cholera in the state within the past week.
[09.1.006 A]

Tanzania - Cholera (Mara)
10 Sep 2008
UN - Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN) [edited] [Promed]
Four people have died of cholera, and dozens were admitted to health centers in the northern Tanzanian region of Mara, according to health officials. The Mara Regional Medical Officer said 4 patients died in the first week of September 2008 in Tarime district, which borders Kenya. He added that cholera cases were first reported in Tarime on 16 Aug 2008 and that so far 180 cases have been reported in Tarime and Rorya districts. 164 cases were treated at various health centers and discharged and 16 patients were still admitted at health centers in the 2 districts as of 10 Sep 2008 morning.
[09.1.005 A]

Zambia - Cholera (Southern province)
6 Sep 2008
China View, Xinhua News Agency report [edited] [Promed]
Cholera has broken out in the Mazabuka district, southern Zambia, state media reported on Saturday [6 Sep 2008]. According to Zambian News and Information Services (ZANIS), no deaths have been recorded since the disease broke out late in August 2008. All the patients admitted at the cholera center are responding to the treatment, ZANIS said. The source of the disease is due to contamination of water villagers fetch from shallow wells, which they also use to wash their clothes and cook, according to ZANIS.
[09.1.004 A]

Niger - Cholera (Maradi)
5 Sep 2008
African Press Agency (APA) [edited] [Promed]
A cholera outbreak in the Maradi region of Niger's economic capital (about 700 km (435 mi) east of Niamey) has killed 3 people, according to initial reports by the regional health authorities who set up a camp to quarantine patients at the district health center, a reliable source told APA on Thursday [4 Sep 2008]. According to this story, the first cases were recorded late in August 2008 when the health centers were stormed by patients suffering from diarrhea and vomiting in Bagalam. An official with the Maradi integrated health center told APA that the situation seems to have calmed down even though there were still grounds for concern as this epidemic coincides with Ramadan during which the consumption of raw vegetables increases.
[09.1.003 A]

Somalia - Cholera (Hiran)
4 Sep 2008
AllAfrica, Shabelle Media Network (Mogadishu) report [edited] [Promed]
An outbreak of acute watery diarrhea (AWD) in and around Hiran region, central Somalia, has killed at least 7 children in the past 3 days, residents said on Thursday [4 Sep 2008]. It is reported that the children have died in Jalalaqsi, Buuqaqable, and Ceel cali areas in Hiran region. According to this story, the death toll in the villages due to the outbreak of diarrhea may rise from this [number]. The children who died were among children below 8 [years old]. Many villagers have been left helpless due to the outbreak of diarrhea. The number of patients in critical condition is not ascertained.
[09.1.002 A]

Kenya - Cholera (Rift Valley)
4 Sep 2008
Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), Kenya News Agency (KNA) report [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, following an outbreak of cholera in the area, 2 people have been reported dead and another admitted at the Nandi hills district hospital. The Area medical officer of health (MOH), speaking on Thursday [4 Sep 2008] said that more than 70 eating places plus 5 food markets have been closed indefinitely until all hygienic standards are adhered to. The district public health officer said that Chemase and Tainet divisions were the most affected.
Related stories
5 Sep 2008 – Cholera in Rift Valley
The Daily Nation [edited] [Promed]
Five people have died of cholera in the Nandi East District in the last two weeks.
[09.1.001 A]

August

Uganda – Typhoid suspected
14 Aug 2008
People's Daily Online, Xinhua News Agency report [edited] [Promed]
So far 9 people out of 27 cases have died of an unidentified epidemic that has hit the western Ugandan district of Kasese in recent weeks, a district official has said. According to the district health officer, preliminary investigations show that the outbreak may be typhoid but he is awaiting confirmatory results from the country's central public [health] laboratory. He said that the victims showed signs and symptoms of fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and later constipation. It is reported that a medical team from the health ministry is already in the district carrying out various tests and promoting proper hygiene and sanitation as one of the measures to contain the spread of the disease, he said.
[08.1.002 A]

Benin - Cholera
11 Aug 2008
China View, Xinhua News Agency report [edited] [Promed]
A cholera outbreak in Benin since July 2008 has killed at least one person, with 90 others infected by the disease, said reports reaching Lome [Togo] Monday [11 Aug 2008]. It is reported that cholera outbreaks are a regular occurrence in the Beninese economic capital Cotonou and its surrounding areas due to flooding during the rainy reason, say experts.
[08.1.001A]

July

Nigeria - Cholera - (Kaduna)
16 Jul 2008
Vanguard [edited] [Promed]
A medical source at Gambo Sawaba General Hospital said that six persons reportedly died from cholera, while no fewer than 30 were currently receiving treatment. The affected areas were Gyallesu, Tudun Wada, Unguwar Alfadarai, and Kusfa in Zaria council area. The head of the health department in the Zaria local government confirmed that only two persons died as a result of the outbreak and quoting from official records, he added that in Zaria six people were being treated in the hospital. According to local sources, the cholera outbreak can be attributed to lack of good drinking water and poor health services in the affected communities.
[07.1.002 A]

Congo - Cholera - (Bouenza)
9 Jul 2008
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), ReliefWeb, Int Fed of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies report [edited] [Promed]
A cholera outbreak is currently hitting the Loudima district, in the Bouenza division, which is located 375 km (233 mi) southeast of Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo. A previous outbreak occurred in the same locality earlier in 2008 with 527 cases and 25 deaths. Another 78 new cases and a death have been reported in Loudima since 5 Jun 2008. In addition, 18 cases have occurred within the same period in the Mouindi village located some 50 km (31 mi) from Loudima. This brought the total of new cholera cases to 96 and one death as of 20 Jun 2008. As of 25 Jun 2008, seven new cases were reported with two cases in Loudima and five in the Mouindi village, bringing the total number of cases to date to 103 in the affected localities.
[07.1.001A]

June

South Africa - Cholera - (KwaZulu-Natal)
26 Jun 2008
Independent Online [edited] [Promed]
Precautionary measures have been put in place after a suspected cholera outbreak on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, the provincial health department said on Thursday [26 Jun 2008]. The spokesperson said cases of suspected cholera were reported in a hall where victims of last week's floods were being sheltered. He said one of the cases was of a 1-month-old baby boy with diarrhea.
[06.1.004 A]


Kenya - Cholera - (Nyanza, Western provinces)
18 Jun 2008
Kenya Red Cross [edited] [Promed]
Cholera was brought under control in Nyanza at the end of April 2008. No cases were recorded in May 2008. However, new cases have been reported in Rachuonyo, Migori and Kisumu East districts of Nyanza Province and Busia and Samia districts in Western Province in the month of June 2008. There were 4 cases reported in Rachuonyo District, while another 13 cases reported in Kisumu East District between 7 and 11 Jun 2008. The areas affected within Kisumu Municipality were Kajulu, Obunga, Bandani, Manyata and Nyalenda informal settlement. On 7 Jun 2008, 4 suspected cholera cases were reported in Migori, but laboratory tests turned out to be negative. In Western Province, 8 cholera cases were reported and admitted in Nangina Mission Hospital in Samia District and 1 case admitted in Butula A. Health Centre in Busia District. The affected villages include Serikesi and Mudoma in Samia District and Isongo in Butula Division, Busia District.
Related stories
25 Jun 2008 - Cholera in Nyanza
AllAfrica & UN Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN) [edited] [Promed]
An outbreak of cholera has been confirmed in the Kisumu municipality in the western region, a senior health official has said. "At least 13 out of 38 cases sampled for cholera have tested positive," the senior deputy director of medical services in Kenya's health ministry said. He said 34 people had also been admitted to the Kisumu district hospital, with a total of 134 cases reported since the outbreak began on 6 Jun 2008. So far, he said, no deaths had been registered. The most affected areas included the slums of Manyatta, Nyalenda and Obunga in the municipality, which lies in the district of Kisumu East. "The new outbreak is attributable to the onset of recent rains in the region that have resulted in the contamination of water wells -- the main sources of water for the residents," he said. At least 376 cases and 12 deaths have been reported in the Kisumu East district since January 2008 when an outbreak of the disease was reported in the rural areas. The outbreak, which also affected the districts of Bondo, Homa Bay, Kisii South, Kisumu West, Migori, Nyando, Rongo, Siayathe and Suba in the western region, led to the deaths of 46 people with 832 cases being reported, according to a UN World Health Organization (WHO) report on 19 Apr 2008.
[06.1.003 A]

South Africa - Cholera (Mpumalanga)
10 Jun 2008
AllAfrica , Bua News (Tshwane) report [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, on Tuesday [10 Jun 2008], two more cases of cholera were confirmed in Barberton bringing the total number of reported cholera cases to 13 in the past two weeks. All the victims, including the two men who died, are believed to be illegal gold miners who drank contaminated underground water while digging for gold in abandoned mineshafts at the Sheba mine. "We currently have four patients at the Barberton hospital and the others have since been discharged," said the spokesperson for the Mpumalanga Department of Health who added that the town's water supply has tested clear of cholera and remains safe to drink.
[06.1.002 A]

Uganda - Cholera (Mbale)
5 Jun 2008
AllAfrica, The Monitor (Kampala) report [edited] [Promed]
An outbreak of cholera has been reported in a remote village of Mbale District; it has already claimed 3 lives and leaves many others at risk. The Bubulo west MP says the epidemic is blamed on the dry season that has forced people to consume polluted water from rivers, specifically from the Manafwa River, which flows through this affected area.
Related stories
16 Jun 2008 - Uganda - Cholera (Butaleja)
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), ReliefWeb, Uganda Red Cross report [edited] [Promed]
State minister for Primary Health Care Dr Emmanuel Otaala has confirmed a cholera outbreak in Butaleja district. The first suspect case was reported on 29 May 2008 and later confirmed on 30 May 2008. This was after samples of stools were examined at Busolwe hospitals. By 9 Jun 2008, 36 cases had been reported with four deaths registered.
A baseline survey on the impact assessment of the cholera outbreak in Butaleja was carried out by the Uganda Red Cross Society, Tororo branch. This was followed by different efforts coming together to contain the outbreak, which included social mobilization that was carried out by the surveillance teams as well as community education of cholera prevention and control. The areas affected include Kachonga Sub County, Doho-Hibira, Nabiganda C, Hamuseru village, Mazimasa, Magugu-Doho, and Hanjehe all found in Butaleja Sub County.
25 Jun 2008 - Cholera in the Southeast
New Vision [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, at least 31 people have died of cholera and over 290 infected in the eastern districts of Butaleja, Mbale, Pallisa and Manafwa. The health minister attributed the infections to River Manafwa, which he said was contaminated from Bugobero. The river moves through the 4 districts and empties its waters in the swamps in the low-lying rice-growing areas of Butaleja.
[06.1.001 A]

May

Zambia - Cholera - (Northern Province)
28 May 2008
Xinhua News Agency [edited] [Promed]
It is reported that the Zambian health authority has recorded 98 cholera cases in Mpulungu District, Northern Province. No deaths, however, have been recorded since the disease broke out early April 2008. According to this story, the Health Ministry, together with all stakeholders in Zambia, resolved to start sensitization programs in the affected areas and disinfect the water wells in an effort to prevent the disease.
[05.1.008 A]

Congo DR - Cholera - (North Kivu)
21 May 2008
AllAfrica, UN Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN) report [edited] [Promed]
An outbreak of cholera in North Kivu province, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has claimed more sufferers in the past 2 weeks, medical and humanitarian officials said. According to this story, the most severely affected areas are the health zones of Pinga and Mweso in the upper and forested Masisi North area. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Goma, 12 deaths were reported in Pinga over just one week in late April 2008, while 159 cases were recorded between 5 and 11 May 2008. It is also reported that although water chlorination facilities and latrines have been built, the problem has persisted because the residents did not like to drink chlorinated water.
[05.1.007 A]

Uganda - Cholera - (Kibaale)
21 May 2008
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), ReliefWeb, Uganda Red Cross report [edited]
Cholera has killed 4 people and infected 43 in Kibaale district. According to the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) branch field coordinator for Kibaale District, Mr Abel Muwonge, the disease that broke out in the district on 17 May 2008, left 25 people admitted at Kasojo Health Centre II in Mpefu Sub County, 3 admitted at Kagadi Health Centre IV, while 11 are still at home unattended to. Mr Muwonge said the most affected areas are fish landing sites. These include Kitebere, Kabukanga, Kamina, Kamulebe, and Nguse landing sites. He attributed the big number of infections at the landing sites to poor sanitation.
[05.1.006 A]


Kenya - Cholera (Nyanza)
14 May 2008
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), ReliefWeb, Int Fed of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) report [edited] [Promed]
Nyanza Province has had cholera outbreaks since late 2007, where the first case was confirmed in Suba District on 2 Dec 2007. The outbreaks have so far been reported in 10 districts: Suba, Migori, Rongo, Bondo, Kisumu East and West, South Kisii, Homa Bay, Nyando, and Siaya. According to the statistics from the provincial medical officer of Nyanza Province, 708 cases of cholera have been recorded in the health facilities in the region and 42 deaths from the disease have been registered. In some districts like Rongo, Migori, Suba, and Kisumu West, the outbreaks are sporadic. The common features about these outbreaks are that they are occurring in households whose main water sources are rivers and lakes. In addition, the sanitation component (latrine coverage) in the affected divisions of the above-mentioned districts is as low as one percent.
Related stories
28 May 2008 - Kenya - Cholera - (Nyanza)
The Times (South Africa), Agence France-Presse (AFP) report [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, a cholera outbreak has killed 3 people and infected several others in western Kenya over the past 2 weeks, a newspaper said today [28 May 2008]. The fatalities occurred in Nyanza Province's Ranchuonyo district near the shores of Lake Victoria, a local public health officer said . Several people were being treated in the area and the authorities have shut roadside eateries and distributed water treatment kits, he added.
[05.1.005 A]

Namibia - Cholera - (Ohangwena)
13 May 2008
AllAfrica, New Era (Windhoek) report [edited] [Promed]
It is reported in this story that lack of pit latrines and general toilet facilities in the northern regions of the country is likely to compromise health officials' efforts in curbing cholera. Since Friday [9 May 2008], 1406 suspected cholera cases were recorded in the Ohangwena Region with 17 confirmed laboratory cases and 19 deaths.
[05.1.004 A]

Zambia - Cholera - (Luapula)
13 May 2008
Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, a total of 9 cases of cholera have been reported in Mansa, Luapula Province. A woman from Nchelenge was also admitted to Butungwa clinic in Mansa with suspected cholera. The 9 cholera patients are all from Sebe Village, but are admitted to a cholera center in Samfya as it is nearest to the village. The Mansa district commissioner said no deaths have been recorded so far.
[05.1.003 A]

Angola - Cholera - (Uige)
13 May 2008
AllAfrica, Angola Press Agency (Luanda) report [edited] [Promed]
According to the provincial health director, 29 cases of cholera, from which two resulted in deaths, were registered last week [5-11 May 2008] in the northern Uige province by the local health authorities.According to the official the 1st case of the epidemiological outbreak was detected on the 2nd part of April 2008 and samples were sent to the country's capital, Luanda, registering negative results, but the cases of diarrhea continue emerging, a situation that intensified in the beginning of May 2008.
[05.1.002 A]

Angola - Cholera - (Luanda)
13 May 2008
AllAfrica, Angola Press Agency (Luanda) [edited] [Promed]
It is reported in this story, that health authorities of Luanda Province have recorded 5 deaths out of the 875 cases of cholera between 11 Jan 2008 and May 2008. This was said during a meeting held by the local government and the National Commission for Prevention Against Cholera, meant to outline strategies to improve water supply distribution to the population, and assessing the appearance of new cases. One of the deaths was recorded at a hospital and the others in homes.
[05.1.001 A]

April

Somalia - Diarrhea, fatal - (Hiraan)
23 Apr 2008
Garowe Online [edited]
According to this story, at least 7 people have been confirmed dead from cases of acute watery diarrhea in the central Somali town of Mahas, locals said. Medical sources in Mahas, a district in the central Hiraan region, told more than 135 additional people are ailing from the disease and there are growing concerns of more deaths because the district lacks sufficient medical facilities and supplies.
[04.1.013 A]


Nigeria - Cholera - (Gombe)
21 Apr 2008
Yahoo Health News, Agence France-Presse (AFP) report [edited]
According to this story, at least 116 female students in northern Nigeria have been hospitalized with cholera after consuming contaminated beans, a health official said Monday [21 Apr 2008].The affected students, who attend a secondary boarding school in Gombe state, [developed symptoms] hours after eating lunch, said the permanent secretary in the Gombe state health ministry. State authorities reacted by banning beans at all boarding schools, pending the outcome of laboratory tests of the contaminated beans by Nigeria's food and drug regulatory agency NAFDAC (National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control).
[04.1.012 A]


Tanzania - Cholera - (Rukwa)
21 Apr 2008
The Times (South Africa) Agence France-Presse (AFP) report [edited]
According to this story, a local health official said 2 people have died from an outbreak of cholera in southern Tanzania. A municipal medical officer explained that they were among 5 people admitted to a health center in the town of Sumbawanga last week [14-20 Apr 2008] and added that a public awareness campaign had been launched in response to the outbreak.
[04.1.011 A]


Tanzania - Cholera - (Kilimanjaro)
18 Apr 2008
AllAfrica & The Citizen (Dar es Salaam) [edited]
According to this story, an outbreak of cholera in Kibosho, Moshi Rural district yesterday [17 Apr 2008] claimed 1 life while an unspecified number of people were being treated in hospitals and health centers. Reports from the area, some 15 kilometers [9.3 miles] from Moshi on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro, say the situation was getting out of hand. The critically hit area is Kibosho division, with scores of residents in the area said to be in a critical condition. The cholera outbreak has created a scare in neighbouring villages in Uru, including Kirima, Mashariki, Maua, Singa and Uru Mawella.
[04.1.010 A]


Somalia - Diarrhea, fatal - (Sanaag)
17 Apr 2008
UN Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN) [edited]
According to this story, at least 11 people have died in Dhahar district in the Sanaag region of northern Somalia, after an outbreak of acute watery diarrhea (AWD), medical sources said. At least 750 cases have been recorded since 10 Mar 2008. Most affected, apart from Dahar itself, were the villages of Barkadaha Qol, Bali Busle, Buran and Boda all in the same district
[04.1.009 A]


South Africa - Cholera - (Gauteng)
16 Apr 2008
Independent Online [edited]
According to this story, 2 cholera cases have been confirmed in Soweto, the Gauteng department of health said on Wednesday [16 Apr 2008]. A spokesperson said the 2 cases were confirmed last week at the Chicken Farm informal settlement in Kliptown, Soweto. He added that the source of infection has not been established, but an urgent investigation was underway to establish the source, identify and treat possible cases and ensure no further spread of this illness.
[04.1.008 A]


Namibia - Cholera - (Ohangwena, Kunene)
14 Apr 2008
AllAfrica, The Namibian (Windhoek) report [edited]
According to this story, the number of suspected cholera cases in the North has risen to 1120, and 8 people have died of the waterborne disease. According to Oshana health director; the vast majority of cases, 1118, and 7 of the deaths were reported in the Ohangwena Region, especially in the Engela health district, which covers the Engela, Okatope, and Eenhana areas. The Health director added that one child had died of cholera in the Kunene Region last week and another case of the disease was also reported in that region.
Related stories
17 Apr 2008 - AllAfrica & New Era
18 Apr 2008 - AllAfrica & The Namibian
[04.1.007 A]


Angola - Cholera - (Namibe)
10 Apr 2008
Angola Press (Angop) [edited]
According to this story, cholera has killed 4 people in Tombwa district, 93 km (58 mi) south of the southern Namibe province, from February to April 2008. The head of the hospital of Tombwa district, who gave the information, added that cases have been increasing due to the piles of garbage spread around the city. According to the official, in the period in analysis Tombwa has recorded 71 cases of cholera, compared to 44 in the previous 2 months.
[04.1.006 A]

Angola - Cholera - (Huila)
10 Apr 2008
Angola Press (Angop) [edited]
According to this story, at least 14 people died by cholera in the Southern Huila province, of a total of 1297 cases diagnosed by the health authorities in the 1 st quarter of 2008. 60 percent of deaths occurred in Lubango city, the most affected region of Huila province, whereas the other 40 percent in Matala, Quipungo, and Chibia districts. Moreover, in the last 24 hours 14 new cases were reported, of which 11 occurred in Lubango and 3 in Chibia, where 28 people were discharged from the hospital and 40 were confined, without registering any deaths.
[04.1.005 A]

South Africa – Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning
9 Apr 2008
AllAfrica.com [edited]
According to this story, members of the public have been advised not to collect or eat any shellfish, oysters and abalone on the West Coast of South Africa (north of Cape Point) until further notice from the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism.The department has received the results of tests carried out on samples that were taken over the weekend and low levels of toxins of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) were detected in the abalone. The department is continuously monitoring the situation. Marine and Coastal Management spokesperson was quoted as saying that so far no incidences of people ill because of shellfish have been reported.
[04.1.004 A]

Kenya - Cholera (Rift Valley)
7 Apr 2008
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), ReliefWeb, Agence France-Presse (AFP) report [edited]
An outbreak of cholera has killed 5 people in the western Kenyan town of Naivasha over the past week, a health official said Monday [7 Apr 2008]. The fatalities occurred in Naivasha, about 90 kilometers (55 miles) northwest of the capital, said a local health official Bota Nyakiba. Health experts have warned that possible disease outbreak in camps housing hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the violence spurred by the disputed 27 Dec 2008 presidential elections.
Related stories
11 Apr 2008 - Kenya - Cholera
Business Daily Africa [edited]
According to this story, the Ministry of Health yesterday [10 Apr 2008] issued a cholera outbreak alert saying the disease had spread to more than 16 districts in 4 provinces. Worst affected regions include Nyanza, Western, Rift Valley, and North Eastern provinces. The director of medical services, said the government had consequently banned hawking, preparation, and eating of food in public gatherings in the affected districts. He said the ministry had also embarked on an aggressive public awareness campaign, enhanced surveillance of water quality, including sources supplying municipalities and cities. He added that the ministry had intensified its inspection of eating places along the northern corridor road, from Busia to Mombasa, and urged the public to practice utmost cleanliness to avoid contacting the disease.Since the 1st case was identified in November 2007 in Suba district, the number of cases has grown to 1217 resulting in 59 deaths. Cases have been reported in Migori, Kisumu East, and Naivasha. Other districts that had reported the epidemic, but where the disease is now under control, include Homabay, Rongo, Kisii South, Bunyala, and Mandera.
18 Apr 2008 - Reuters
[04.1.003 A]


Zimbabwe - Cholera - (Mashonaland Central)
6 Apr 2008
Afriquenligne [edited]
According to this story, health officials in northern Zimbabwe said Sunday [6 Apr 2008] a prolonged outbreak of cholera in the area had killed 20 people and affected more than 200 others. They said Shamva district in the north had been hit by a cholera outbreak since February [2008], which had claimed 20 lives and left 221 others sick. A district medical officer said it was suspected the disease broke out after villagers used contaminated water from streams and mishandling of victims' bodies. As part of measures to control the spread of disease, health officials said they had banned food at funerals, and enforced strict sanitary standards in the area.
[04.1.002 A]

Somalia - Cholera (Gedo)
5 Apr 2008
Garowe Online [edited]
According to this story, at least 12 people have died from watery diarrhea in a small town in southwestern Somalia, which is ill equipped to fight the disease, town officials said. The mayor of Bardhere, a town in Gedo region, told local media that 60 other people have been suffering from the disease since last week.
[04.1.001 A]

March

Ethiopia - Cholera - (Somali)
31 Mar 2008
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), ReliefWeb [edited]
A total of 97 suspected acute watery diarrhea (AWD) cases with 8 deaths were reported from Suftu area in Dolo Ado woreda of Liben zone in Somali Region. The cases were reported between 14 Jan 2008 and 15 Mar 2008, according to the team deployed. AWD cases were also reported by Kenyan health authorities in an area bordering Somali Region. According to Kenyan health authorities, the laboratory investigations identified Vibrio cholerae . A cross border meeting was conducted by health and administrative authorities to exchange information and collaborate on the prevention and control activities by both sides.
[03.1.019 A]

Ghana – Don't Eat Fish from Fosu Lagoon
Mar 31, 2008
Graphic Road - Shirley Asiedu-Addo
According to this story, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has warned residents of Cape Coast to immediately stop eating fish from the Fosu Lagoon. It said the lagoon was the third most polluted in the country, after the Korle and Chemu lagoons. The Central Regional Programmes Officer of the EPA was quoted as saying that eating fish from the lagoon was risky because the act could cause cancers and nervous system breakdown. The officer said it was, therefore, important that all fishing activities in the lagoon be stopped until its health had been restored, saying that one-third of the lagoon was currently silted. He said also that large volumes of waste, both liquid and solid, from the final disposal site at Nkanfoah in Cape Coast were carried through run-offs to the lagoon. He added that waste oil, metals and other forms of waste from garages at Siwdu, as well as the waste product from palm kernel extraction around Adisadel Village, had added to its current highly contaminated state. He said it was important that the polluters at Siwdu and Adisadel Village were resettled and called for properly engineered desilting of the lagoon as soon as possible. The officer then suggested the construction of major drainage systems in the lagoon catchment area to divert run-offs directly into the sea. Meanwhile, the Cape Coast Metropolitan Chief Executive has stated that millions of cedis would be required for the restoration of the lagoon and indicated that the assembly was seeking funds from other sources for the purpose.
[03.1.018 A]

Kenya - Cholera - (Nyanza, Western provinces)
31 Mar 2008
AllAfrica & The East African Standard (Nairobi) [edited]
According to this story, 39 people in Nyanza Province have succumbed to cholera since January 2008. More than 450 cases have been reported in hospitals in the same period. The Nyanza Provincial Medical Officer said the epidemic began in Suba and Siaya districts and then spread to Homa Bay District and Kisumu. He said health workers had contained the outbreak in Siaya and Rongo, adding that Migori District was particularly hard hit with more than 10 deaths reported. Headded that the influx of displaced people and feasting at funerals contributed to the spread of cholera. The Provincial Public Health Officer said that improper disposal of human waste was another contributing factor.The official added that rain often washed human stool into water sources. Meanwhile, a cholera outbreak has been reported in Budalang'i, Western Province. The Western Provincial Medical Officer, yesterday [30 Mar 2008], said 7 people were undergoing treatment at Port Victoria Sub-District Hospital.
Related sources
3 Apr 2008 - AllAfrica , UN Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN) report
[03.1.017 A]

Nigeria - Cholera - (Benue)
30 Mar 2008
Agence France-Presse (AFP) [edited]
According to this story, around 50 people have died in recent weeks of cholera in central Nigeria's Benue state out of some 150 infected, the press quoted health officials as saying Sunday [30 Mar 2008]. Local newspapers said that the state capital Makurdi was worst hit by the disease which broke out in February 2008. A State health commissioner attributed the cause of the disease to drinking contaminated water. He said medical officials and drugs had been sent to the affected areas to treat the victims as well as contain the spread of the disease.
[03.1.016 A]

Angola - Cholera - (Huila)
30 Mar 2008
AllAfrica & Angola Press Agency (Luanda) [edited]
According to this story, at least 116 cases of cholera were recorded in the 1st quarter of 2008 at Chibia locality, south Huila province, 45 kilometers [28 miles] from Lubango city, without claiming lives. The head of the local health division mentioned that 113 patients were discharged after having been completely been recovered, whereas 3 are still hospitalised. He noted that 50 percent of the cases were registered in Jau commune, and the others in the localities of Kihita, Capunda Cavilongo and in the district headquarters. According to the health official, at the moment the situation is stable, despite the number of cases registered, since no deaths have been reported.
Related sources
1 Apr 2008 - AllAfrica , UN Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN) report
03.1.015 A]

Malawi - Cholera - (Blantyre)
29 Mar 2008
AllAfrica & Inter Press Service (Johannesburg) [edited]
According to this story, since the beginning of 2008 at least 8 people have died in a cholera outbreak in areas around Blantyre, which is located in southern Malawi. Up to 291 cases of cholera were reported within a 3 week period in the region.
[03.1.014 A]

Zambia - Cholera - (Lusaka)
25 Mar 2008
AllAfrica, The Times of Zambia (Ndola) report [edited]
The Ministry of Health spokesperson was quoted as saying that 31 people suffering from cholera in Lusaka were admitted to various cholera centers in the townships. She said Lusaka had recorded 253 cases since January 2008 out of which 31 people were still admitted. The 31 were admitted in Matero, Chipata, Kanyama, Chawama, and George townships. Since January 2008, only one patient has died at Matero Center while the rest, apart from the 31, had been successfully treated and discharged.
[03.1.013 A]


Angola - Cholera (Cunene)
19 Mar 2008
Angola Press [edited]
According to this story, 8 new cases of cholera have been reported in the last 24 hours by Ondjiva hospital, in southern Cunene province. A nurse mentioned the poor hygienic condition and the lack of water treatment by residents as the main source of the disease. The nurse stated that, with these new cases, the number of people with the disease in the hospital stands at 17, including 3 children.
[03.1.012 A]

Somalia - Cholera, acute watery diarrhea (AWD) - (Hiran)
18 Mar 2008
UN Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN) [edited]
A number of people have died in the town of Beletweyne, the Hiran regional capital in central Somalia, following an outbreak of acute watery diarrhea (AWD), medical sources said on 17 Mar 2008. The program coordinator for the International Medical Corps (IMC), in Beletweyne said 516 cases of AWD had been recorded between 16 Feb 2008 and 9 Mar 2008. A local humanitarian worker, who requested anonymity, said the situation in Beletweyne was stabilizing but expressed concern for outlying villages. In the village of Omaad, 50km [31 miles] north of Beletweyne, 4 people in a family of 12 were reported to have died of AWD.
Related sources
14 Mar 2008 - UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
[03.1.011 A]

Angola - Cholera - (Huambo)
18 Mar 2008
AllAfrica & Angola Press Agency (Luanda) [edited]
According to to this story, the health authorities in Angola's central Huambo province Tuesday [18 Mar 2008] declared a cholera outbreak in the provincial capital city, following the death in the last 5 days of 9 people at Bom Pastor suburb. The Huambo city health director said the samples sent to the national laboratory of public health, in Luanda, indicate the existence of cholera, at a time the cases of the disease tend to rise in the surrounding areas of the provincial capital. He said as well a center for treatment of the disease has been opened in Huambo Central Hospital, where 21 cases have been recorded.
Related Sources
24 Mar 2008 - Angola Press (ANGOP)
[03.1.010 A]

Angola -Cholera - (Benguela)
17 Mar 2008
Angola Press [edited]
3 people, including 2 children, died of cholera last week [9-15 Mar 2008] in Luacho locality, Baia Farta district, central Benguela province, a local source has informed. The local chieftain said the deaths where recorded at home and that in the same period another 12 cases were recorded in the same locality. An awareness campaign on preventive measures is underway so as to avoid more deaths. Meanwhile, the heavy rains falling in the region may worsen the situation.
[03.1.009 A]

Angola - Cholera (Namibe)
14 Mar 2008
Angola Press (ANGOP) [edited]
According to this story, at least 5 people died of cholera, out of the 29 cases recorded in Virei District, south western Namibe Province, since 9 Feb 2008. The provincial director of health said other 45 cases were recorded in Namibe District in the same month, totalling 74 in the whole province.
[03.1.008 A]

Nigeria - Diarrhea, fatal (Anambra)
14 Mar 2008
The Vanguard (Lagos) [edited]
Following an outbreak of diarrhea, 9 children have been reported dead in Aguata local government area. The acting chairman of the council said the affected children were between the ages of one and 3 years. 4 of the children died at a private hospital in Nkpologwu while 5 children died at a private hospital in Ekwulobia.
[03.1.007 A]

Namibia - Cholera (Ohangwena)

February

Angola - Cholera (Cunene)
29 Feb 2008
UN ReliefWeb, Int Fed of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies report [edited]
Cholera is on the increase in Cunene Province in the South of Angola. Since January 2008, due to heavy rainfall resulting in floods, some 12 980 people have been displaced in the village of Sangongo and the provincial capital Ondgiva. 5 to 7 new cholera cases are reported daily, 82 people have already died.Angolan Red Cross (ARC) volunteers are working together with local communities to take precautions. The ARC formed partnerships with other agencies to respond to the crisis and 100 latrines in the affected area have already been built in cooperation with Oxfam.This year's [2008] floods have also affected Moxico province in East Angola and the northern province of Uige. While Angola in 2007 experienced the worst floods around Moxico, currently the most affected area is the south of the country around Cunene Province.
[02.1.019 A]

Zambia - Cholera
28 Feb 2008
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), ReliefWeb, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) report [edited]
The cholera situation in Mwense district of Luapula Province is under control. No new patients have been recorded since 15 Feb 2008. Lusaka District continues to report cases of cholera in high-density settlements (Chipata Overspill, Chaisa, George (Zone 3), and Matero). Cumulatively 71 patients have been treated for cholera in Lusaka in the last 30 days; no deaths have been recorded. In Kitwe district (Copperbelt Province), 35 cases of watery diarrhea have been recorded with 6 confirmed as cholera.UNICEF is responding to all 3 cholera zones by supporting MOH (Ministry of Health) assessments and providing zinc tablets, ciprofloxacilin, sodium lactate, glucose hyperton, ORS (oral rehydration solution), cannulas, and latex examination gloves to District Epidemic Preparedness Committees.Although heavy rains are forecast until end March [2008] in the northern part of Zambia, floodwaters are receding in the Southern parts of the country, raising the risk of disease outbreaks, diarrhea, cholera, and malaria, especially from highly contaminated water sources and standing water.
[02.1.018 A]

Angola - Cholera (Huila)
27 Feb 2008
Angola Press (ANGOP) [edited]
According to this story, in the past 24 hours, 10 new cholera cases were detected by the Services of Public Health and Control to Endemic Diseases in southern Huila province, in Lubango city and in Quipungo district, without any deaths. A local official was reported as saying that from the cases, 9 were diagnosed in Lubango and one in Quipungo, other regions of the province greatly affected by the disease, did not report any new cases. He also stated that at the moment 31 patients have been hospitalized with the disease: 27 at the Treatment Centre of the Central Hospital of Lubango, 3 in Matala, and one in Quipungo.
[02.1.017 A]

Somalia - Cholera (Gedo)
26 Feb 2008
BBC News [edited]
It is reported that about 70 people have died in a severe outbreak of cholera in southern Somalia, close to the Kenyan border town of Mandera. The crisis is affecting Somalia's Gedo region. At least 400 people have been affected and drought conditions are aggravating the problem. According to the story, people affected on the Kenyan side of the border are getting medical aid but almost none is available in Somalia and local non-government organisations have appealed for international help.
Related Sources
29 Feb 2008 - Acute watery diarrhea (Gedo) - UN Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN) report
11 Mar 2008 - AllAfrica , The Nation (Nairobi) report
[02.1.016 A]

Uganda - Cholera - (Arua)
21 Feb 2008
AllAfrica & The Monitor (Kampala) [edited]
According to this story, Arua District has registered 23 cases of cholera since the disease broke out last week. The District Health Officer was reported as explaining that 1 person had died. He said the disease has spread to Oli Division where 16 cases have been reported. According to the latest statistics, 7 cases have been reported within the municipality. The officer attributed the outbreak to communities using unclean water drawn especially from River Enyau.
[02.1.015 A]

Mozambique - Cholera
20 Feb 2008
Independent Online [edited]
According to state media reports, eight of Mozambique's 11 administrative provinces, including the city of Maputo, have been hit by a cholera epidemic which has claimed 50 lives. The Health minister was quoted as saying that the spread of the disease worried health authorities. Currently the provinces of Maputo, Maputo city, Manica, Sofala, Tete, Cabo Delgado, Gaza and Zambezia have registered cases of the highly contagious disease. Only the provinces of Inhambane, Niassa and Nampula have not recorded any cases of cholera.Health authorities attributed the spreading of the disease to poor hygiene practices and the flooding in the central provinces.
Other sources
19 Feb 2008 - Agence France-Presse (AFP) [edited]
At least 72 people have died of cholera and other intestinal diseases brought on by floods that have ravaged central Mozambique since the beginning of January 2008, medical staff said Tuesday [19 Feb 2008].
[02.1.014 A]

Kenya - Cholera (Northeastern)
18 Feb 2008
UN Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN) [edited]
An outbreak of cholera in Kenya's Mandera district has claimed the lives of 6 people, with the local hospital reporting that about 130 people had sought treatment at the facility during the past week [11-17 Feb 2008]. About 60 patients have been admitted to the hospital, a medical officer from the Mandera District Hospital said, adding that the hospital had asked for more cholera treatment drugs from Garissa, the provincial capital of the Northeastern Province, where Mandera is situated. A public health officer for Mandera, said the outbreak could be the result of general poor hygiene in Mandera town or the use of contaminated water from the nearby Dawa River, which forms part of the border between Kenya and Ethiopia. He said his office had ordered 25 food kiosks in Mandera town to close down due to poor hygiene.
Other sources
18 Feb 2008 - Kenya Broadcasting Corporation
23 Feb 2008 - AllAfrica.com & The East African Standard (Nairobi)
29 Feb 2008 - Cholera (North Eastern)
Reuters Africa [edited]
According to this story, cholera has killed 43 people in the last 2 weeks along the remote border between Kenya and Somalia. A public health official in Kenya's Mandera District said 30 people, including at least 6 children, had died there from the water-borne disease in a fortnight . Meat exports to Somalia and Ethiopia were banned, he added.On the Somali side of the border, a staff member with the Irish charity Trocaire said 13 people had died from 676 suspected cases, 257 of which had needed hospital treatment.
2 Mar 2008 - UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) , ReliefWeb, World Health Organization (WHO) report
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Nigeria - Diarrhea, fatal (Anambra)
15 Feb 2008
Nigerian Tribune [edited]
According to this story, following an outbreak of diarrhea with vomiting, 5 children have been reported dead and over 50 are receiving treatment in various hospitals at Amafor West area of Nkpor, and outskirts of Onitsha, Anambra State. A medical practitioner in the area said there were no primary health care center or health workers to enlighten the parents on the dangers of the disease.
[02.1.012 A]

Zimbabwe - Cholera (Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central)
15 Feb 2008
AllAfrica, The Herald (Harare) report [edited]
According to this story, so far, 7 people from Nyamukuyo Village in Mudzi district, Mashonaland East Province, have died of cholera. The minister of Health and Child Welfare confirmed the outbreak, which started 2 weeks ago. He said a woman who had visited Mozambique was suspected to have carried the disease to the village. This is the 2nd reported cholera outbreak in February 2008 after a similar outbreak in Muzarabani, where 4 people died last week [4-10 Feb 2008]. In a separate interview, the principal director for preventive services in the Ministry of Health attributed the increase of cholera and diarrhea cases in the country to unsafe water and inadequate sanitation.
[02.1.011 A]


Nigeria - Cholera (Cross River)
12 Feb 2008
AllAfrica, Leadership (Abuja) report [edited]
According to this story, over 60 children between the ages of 1-2 have reportedly died of a cholera epidemic in northern Cross River state. The incident, which occurred 3 weeks ago, has been attributed to drinking of contaminated water. The deaths occurred in Ogoja and its environs. The epidemic in Yala, Obudu, Mbube, Bekwara, and Ogoja main towns is attributable to shortage of water supply to the people resulting to the use of water from ponds, streams, and gutters for domestic use and drinking. The Medical Superintendent of General Hospital in Ogoja confirmed the epidemic.
[02.1.010 A]

Uganda - Cholera (Kampala)
10 Feb 2008
AllAfrica, New Vision (Kampala) report [edited]
According to this story, the Ministry of Health has confirmed that cholera has hit Kampala district again. So far 6 patients have been admitted at the cholera isolation camp in Mulago Hospital. There are no confirmed deaths. The Kampala chief of health services said 4 patients are undergoing treatment and other patients are reported to be undergoing tests at Asumpta Clinic in Kamwokya. The commissioner of health services attributed the outbreak to poor sanitation and lack of personal hygiene among the masses.
[02.1.009 A]

Congo DR - Cholera (Katanga)
6 Feb 2008
Reuters [edited]
According to this story, a cholera epidemic has killed at least 76 people and infected nearly 3000 in Democratic Republic of Congo's southeastern province of Katanga since the start of the year [2008]. Lubumbashi, the heavily populated capital of Katanga, and the mining city of Likasi, 90 km (58 mi) to the northwest, have been among the worst hit by the epidemic.
Related sources
12 Feb 2008 - UN Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN)
22 Feb 2008 - Cholera (Katanga)
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies [edited]
The DRC's Katanga Province continues to be affected by a cholera epidemic that started in mid-December 2007. To date, about 19 health zones out of 67 are affected. In 2007, the total population in the affected communities was 9 629 888 people. Health Ministry and WHO reports show that the epidemic is extending in many big cities of the province. 110 deaths are reported out of more than 4000 cases registered in Lubumbashi, Haut Lomami, Likasi, Tanganyika, and Haut Katanga. According to the WHO, the DRC (especially in the East) is one of the 5 countries in the world where serious cholera epidemics have periodically occurred (1981, 2002-2003, 2004, 2006, 2007-2008) in Katanga, South Kivu and Eastern Kasai.
[02.1.008 A]

Angola - Cholera
6 Feb 2008
Angola Press (ANGOP) [edited]
According to this story, during the period from 28 Jan to 3 Feb 2008, cholera cases in Luanda, the country's capital, dropped from 37 with one death to 30 cases without any recorded deaths. According to local news sources, the reduction was due to the banned consumption of fish from Kilunda lagoon and distribution of clean drinking water to residents of Cacuaco district. The spoke person of the National Commission of Combat Against Cholera said that awareness campaigns directed to residents to avoid defecating neither next nor in the lagoon has also contributed to the reduction of the number of cases. The official added that last week [28 Jan-3 Feb 2008] Cacuaco district recorded 35 cases against 27 registered on the previous week. Sambizanga district reported 3 cases, one in the "Ossos" ward and 2 in Porto Pesqueiro. Precarious conditions of basic sanitation and the consumption of untreated water in the above-cited localities were accounted for the recorded cases, noted the spoke person who added that during the 5th epidemiological week of 2008 [28 Jan-3 Feb 2008], 200 cases with one death were also registered. About 35 percent of the cases occurred in Huila province, followed by provinces of Benguela, Cunene, Luanda, Bie, and Kwanza Norte. Compared to the week before, there was a drop from 233 with 3 deaths.
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Nigeria - Cholera (Delta)
5 Feb 2008
Vanguard Online [edited]
Scores of children have been hospitalized in various hospitals in Asaba, Delta State and neighboring towns following an outbreak of cholera especially in riverine communities of the state. A similar cholera epidemic occurred in 2007 in the state, claiming no fewer than 10 lives. The state director of Information confirmed the epidemic yesterday [4 Feb 2008].
[02.1.006 A]

Zambia - Cholera (Copperbelt)
5 Feb 2008
AllAfrica.com, The Times of Zambia (Ndola) report [edited]
According to this story, suspected cholera has broken out in Kitwe's Ipusukilo Township where residents have been drinking water from shallow wells following the closure of water kiosks by Nkana Water and Sewerage Company (NWSC) for non-payment. The District director of health said 3 people were currently admitted and were under observation at the District Health Management (DHM) cholera center while 3 others had been discharged. The director added that the report on the outcome of the tests to determine whether it is actual cholera or not was still being awaited.
[02.1.005 A]

Mozambique - Diarrhea (Tete)
5 Feb 2008
Agence France-Presse (AFP) [edited]
According to this story, an outbreak of diarrhea in a flood-hit city in central Mozambique has claimed the lives of 64 people since early January 2008, the local council said on Tuesday [5 Feb 2008]. The municipal authority in the city of Tete said that a total of 835 people had contracted diarrhea from contaminated water since the flooding began at the start of 2008.
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Somalia - Acute watery diarrhea, fatal - Middle Shabelle
4 Feb 2008
Garowe Online [edited]
According to this story, at least 8 children have died in southern Somalia's Middle Shabelle region after drinking contaminated water, relatives said Monday [4 Feb 2008]. The children died in Bal'ano village, east of the provincial capital Jowhar. Several relatives were reported as saying that the village has been experiencing severe water shortage in recent weeks. The children are believed to have died from a form of watery diarrhea. Tens of families began leaving the village in search of clean water sources in nearby towns, locals said.
[02.1.003A]


Angola - Cholera (Kwanza Sul)
2 Feb 2008
Angola Press (ANGOP) [edited]
The Red Cross of Angola (CVA) in coastal Kwanza Sul province intensified in the past days the awareness campaign against cholera to enable the population to acquire knowledge on the cares with the disease. It is also reported that during the month of January 2008 the province registered 7 cases of cholera without deaths.
[02.1.002 A]

Kenya - Cholera (Rift Valley)
2 Feb 2008
Kenya Broadcasting Corporation [edited]
According to this story, a cholera outbreak alert has been reported in an (internally displaced persons) IDP camp in Narok. The more than 1000 IDPs camping at Narok North district headquarters do not have proper sanitation and the 3 pit latrines they have been using are full. Meanwhile at least one person has reportedly died and 70 others are admitted to Mandera District Hospital following an outbreak of cholera in the town. Speaking to the Kenya News Agency, the Area Medical Superintendent said samples sent to the National Public Health Laboratory confirmed the outbreak of the disease. He said they are recording more cholera cases at the institution by the day.
[02.1.001 A]

January

Angola - Cholera - (Benguela)
28 Jan 2008
AllAfrica, Angola Press Agency (Luanda) report [edited]
According to this story, at least 2 people out of 20 patients suffering from cholera died from the disease in Bocoio district, south western Benguela province. The head of fight against cholera program at the local hospital said that the disease started early in January 2008. The source blamed the spread of the disease on lack of treated drinking water and hygiene within the community.
[01.1.013 A]

Uganda - Cholera - (Kampala), 2006-2007
23 Jan 2008
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), ReliefWeb, Int. Fed. of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies report [edited]
In December 2006, Uganda's Ministry of Health (MOH) reported 305 cases of cholera in a span of 3 weeks and 10 deaths confirmed in Kampala city. Starting with some 212 cases on 1 Dec 2006, some additional 93 cases were reported in the next 3 days. This equalled a daily infection rate of 23 to 24 cases with a case-specific mortality rate of 3 per cent. A cholera treatment center established in Mulago Referral Hospital reported a caseload of 10 to 15 cholera patients per day, an indicator that if the epidemic was not addressed promptly, it could result in the doubling of caseload in less than 2 weeks. The cholera treatment center also reported that most patients suffered from acute diarrhea resulting from consumption of contaminated food and water. The most affected communities were those in low lying areas that are overcrowded. A case fatality rate of 1 per cent with an attack rate of 7 per cent was reported marked by 11 deaths since the beginning of the outbreak. A total of 1099 cases were recorded with 30 per cent from Kawempe Division of Kampala city as shown in the table below. The proportion of males to females diagnosed was 95 to 100 and about 22 per cent of the cases were from children under the age of 5.
Distribution of cholera cases in Kampala
Kampala city divisions: Number of cases
Kawempe: 333
Makindye: 249
Rubaga: 212
Central: 128
Nakawa: 68
Others: (especially Wakiso) 108
Total: 1099
According to MOH reports, the epidemic started to spread from internally displaced persons' (IDP) camps in Kitgum and Pader Districts as well as the south western parts of Uganda and increased over the next 2 months spreading to other districts. The 1st case was recorded on 31 Oct 2006 where a woman from Mengo-Kisenyi in central Division was admitted at Mulago Referral Hospital. The outbreak was contained after 4 months by 10 Mar 2007 followed by closure of the cholera treatment center. According to the health authorities in Kampala, the cholera outbreak was the 6th to occur in Kampala City in a space of 10 years since 1997 giving an average of one cholera epidemic after every 2 years.
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Kenya – United Kingdom – Salmonellosis – tourists
15 Jan 2008
WebWire [edited]
Hundreds of British tourists have been hit by an intestinal infection, at a hotel in Kenya, which suffered a similar outbreak in August 2007. Holidaymakers returning from the Sun'n Sand Hotel in Kikambala, have complained about being severely ill while there and some have now had their condition confirmed as salmonellosis.
[01.1.011 A]

Congo DR - Cholera (Katanga)
13 Jan 2008
Journal Chretien [edited]
According to medical sources, in 3 days, a cholera epidemic has killed 6 patients recently admitted in the general referral hospital of Daco in the city of Likasi, Democratic Republic of Congo. The death of a patient following epidemic of diarrhea and vomiting led to fear in the dwellers of Likasi city, estimated at over 600 000 inhabitants. According to the director of the referral hospital, 91 people suffering from cholera were taken into care last week, whereas 30 others received treatment. The inspector of the health district of Likasi, urged people through a local radio broadcast to observe preventive measures to contain the epidemic. The shortage of drinkable water in Likasi city could be behind this epidemic, sources said.
Related stories
25 Jan 2008 -Cholera - (Katanga)
Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) [edited]
A team of 15 from MSF's Congo Emergency Pool (PUC; Pool d'Urgence Congo) is currently working to fight a cholera epidemic that has been raging since the start of 2008 in the heart of Lubumbashi, the capital of Katanga province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Lubumbashi, a mining city in the south east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with a population of 1.3 million, is the 2nd largest city in the country. To date, 767 cholera patients have been treated in the MSF supported Cholera Treatment Center (CTC). There were 278 new patients admitted over the course of last week -- an average of 30 to 40 new patients every day. On 10 Jan 2008, while the PUC team was working in the city's only CTC, located in one of the general referral hospitals in the Kenya district, the number of patients rose so rapidly that hospital staff were completely unable to cope. The MSF team first reorganized patient care by placing the entry and exit disinfection areas outside of the hospital, which also increased the center's capacity. The severely ill, those suffering from severe dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea caused by cholera, are placed in an isolated room and put on an intravenous drip. They then go through various phases of treatment until the convalescence area. It was necessary to open a 2nd treatment center. On Sat 19 Jan 2008, MSF opened a CTC in the Katuba district, 8 km from the Kenya district where 24 patients have already been admitted. "We were able to reduce the overload on the Kenya center and provide closer care to a greater number of patients," explained Elke Frans, an MSF nurse. The Katuba district is one of the largest focus areas of cholera in the city. Until now, due to the lack of a centre, patients had been crossing Lubumbashi before receiving treatment. MSF is now focusing its efforts in order to limit the spread of the epidemic, while aware that it could not be contained in time due to the lack of adequate resources deployed for the poorest population of this rich mining city. A serious epidemic previously hit Lubumbashi in 2003 and MSF provided assistance on that occasion. Once again, it is the people living in difficult hygiene conditions and without access to drinking water that are affected.
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Mozambique - Cholera
11 Jan 2008
AllAfrica.com & Agencia de Informacao de Mocambique (Maputo)
According to Health Ministry statistics, since the start of the current cholera outbreak in Mozambique in October 2007, 12 people have died from the disease. The 1st cholera case was diagnosed in Maputo on 8 Oct 2007. By Thursday [10 Jan 2008] morning, the number of diagnosed cases stood at 1396. Almost half of these cases, 673, occurred in Maputo city; 7 of these patients died. Maputo province reported 346 cases and 3 deaths. The other areas affected were Cabo Delgado in the far north (138 cases and 1 death), and the central province of Sofala (133 cases and 1 death).
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Liberia - Diarrhea, cholera - (Maryland, Grand Kru)
10 Jan 2008
AllAfrica.com & The Analyst (Monrovia)
A health authority in Monrovia has confirmed 163 diarrhoea cases and 2 deaths in the southeastern region of Maryland County. According to the acting Chief Medical Officer of Liberia, in December 2007, several communities in Harper including Up Cape, New Kru Town, Old Kru Town, Barrobo Community, Bishop Ferguson Hill, Nekanbo, Bassa Community, Karloken and Hence Street were hard hit by diarrhoea. According to him, 163 diarrhea patients were treated at the only Referral Hospital, J.J. Dossen Hospital while a total of 49 patients with severe diarrhoea were admitted. Apart from the conditions in Harper, he said a local agency has reported 88 cases of diarrhoea in Pleebo, the second largest city. Also in Garaway in Grand Kru County, the officer said that there were 3 suspected cases of cholera with 2 deaths. Commenting on laboratory test, he said tests were conducted on 7 specimens collected from Maryland County. He said analysis proved that 1 of the 7 cases proved to be positive for Vibro cholerae type O1.
Related Sources
14 Jan 2008 - United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) [edited]
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Angola - Cholera – 2007
7 Jan 2008
Angola Press ANGOP [edited]
According to this story, some 515 people, out of 18,390 cases recorded countrywide in 2007, died of cholera. The Angola's deputy Health minister quoted the provinces of Luanda and Benguela as reporting the highest numbers, with 6806 (37 percent) and 4173 (23 percent), respectively. On the other hand, the coastal Kwanza Sul province recorded the highest number of deaths, with 173, corresponding to 12 percent, followed by Malanje and Zaire [provinces], with 8 percent each.
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Kenya - Cholera - (Rift Valley province)
7 Jan 2008
Daily Nation [edited]
According to this story, cholera has broken out at a center hosting victims of post-election violence in Nandi. A total of 3 doctors were tackling the disease at Kapsabet police station, the Nandi North district commissioner said. The commissioner added that the outbreak was occasioned by congestion, leading to poor sanitation at the station. He said the Government had evacuated more than 1000 people who had been displaced. They were among the 2100 who had been camping at the police station. They were evacuated under tight military security to safer places in Nakuru and Kisii.
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Uganda – Cholera (Arua, Nebbi)
7 Jan 2008
AllAfrica.com and The Monitor (Kampala) [edited]
According to this story, fresh cholera cases have been registered in the West Nile districts of Arua and Nebbi, despite efforts to contain the disease in late 2007. The Arua District Health Officer confirmed that cases of cholera had been reported in the districts. He said it was impossible to confirm the total number of deaths as the health team had not delivered reports from the affected areas. But some sources say 3 people have so far died in Madi Okollo and Offaka sub-counties. According to health reports from Offaka HC III, 2 of the cholera victims died at home while the 3rd died at the center. 2 people have also reportedly died of cholera in Nebbi town.
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Zimbabwe - Cholera (Harare)
4 Jan 2008
The Zimbabwean [edited]
According to this story, with a cholera death toll in Zimbabwe's capital [Harare] rising to 9, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has provided US 210,000 dollars to the Ministry of Health for urgent measures to control the spread of the epidemic, sparked by drinking tap water left untreated by the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa). Since December 2007, 500 people have been affected in the populous suburbs of Mabvuku and Tafara by the waterborne disease, which is spread by poor sanitation. The death toll for the epidemic, which is centred in the 2 ghettos, home to more than 50,000 people, rose from 3 to 9 in a week after 6 people died last weekend [5-6 Jan 2008]. A statement from UNICEF said the funds would be used to bring in epidemiologists within the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare to strengthen cholera control activities, including awareness programs. UNICEF would also provide 5 water bowsers and environmental disinfectants to improve access to safe water.
Related Sources
14 Jan 2008 - AllAfrica.com & Zimbabwe Standard (Harare)
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Zambia – Chemical contamination of water (Copperbelt)
4 Jan 2008
AllAfrica, The Times of Zambia (Ndola) report [edited]
According to this story, about 800 people in Mufulira were treated at 2 hospitals for stomach and other complications after they consumed water supplied from Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) underground source.
The Copperbelt Minister said yesterday [3 Jan 2008] that 500 people were treated at Ronald Ross Hospital while close to 300 were attended to at Malcolm Watson Mine Hospital on Wednesday [2 Jan 2008] as the Government constituted a team to establish the cause of the pollution. But in a statement released yesterday [3 Jan 2008], the MCM chief services officer said the pollution was caused by a pump failure in the leach section of the mine on the 520-metre (1706 ft) level. Employees interviewed yesterday [3 Jan 2008] said the acid which was used in the InSitu Leach section spilled over after the pump failure, and when the dewatering process started, traces of acid were also pumped out and eventually got into the Mulonga water system. The polluted water was pumped to the Kantanshi, Kankoyo, Butondo, and Fairview areas of the town centre from the Mine Site water treatment plant supplied from MCM. On Wednesday [2 Jan 2008], residents almost rioted after some people who had consumed polluted water were rushed to the hospital, prompting authorities to deploy police officers in the 3 affected townships, the town centre and other strategic areas. Police sealed off the hospital premises as residents in panic thronged the area to check the condition of the patients.
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Angola - Cholera - (Cunene)
2 Jan 2008
Angola Press (ANGOP) [edited]
At least 34 new cases of cholera were notified in Central Hospital of Ondjiva, between 23 and 30 Dec 2007, in Angola's southern Cunene province. The health official, in charge of cholera division told that there had been no fatalities so far. The reported cases were mostly associated with residents of Kashila ward, in the surroundings of Ondjiva city, due to lack of hygienic conditions, added the official.
Other sources
7 Jan 2008 - AllAfrica.com and Angola Press Agency (ANGOP Luanda)
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Nigeria - Cholera - (Benue)
2 Jan 2008
Nigerian Tribune [edited]
According to this story, as a result of an outbreak of cholera in Gbajimba, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, 10 persons have been confirmed dead. The state Ministry of Health on Tuesday [1 Jan 2008] confirmed the outbreak of the epidemic and the number of lives lost to it.
Related Sources
11 Jan 2008 - The Tide
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