Tuesday January 30, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) - A significant surge in cholera cases has been reported in Somalia, with January 2024 witnessing a dramatic rise in infections. The Beledweyne District, located in the central part of the country, is the epicentre of the outbreak, recording most of the 980 cases reported this month. This figure marks a substantial increase from the 472 cases documented in the same period last year, signalling a severe health crisis in the region.
Health authorities are particularly concerned about the spread in the Hiiraan and Shabeellaha regions, where numerous districts, including Kismayo, Burhakaba, Afgoye, Bulo Burti, Baidoa, and Jowhar, are reporting rising case numbers. In response, increased efforts in risk communication and community education are underway.
The recent fatalities highlight the outbreak's severity. In the second week of January 2024, Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD)/cholera claimed at least nine lives, with 474 new cases reported. This health crisis is an extension of the situation in 2023, which saw over 18,300 cholera cases, many of whom were children under five years old.
In tackling this outbreak, health partners and the Federal Ministry of Health have developed a six-month plan, demanding a budget of US$5.6 million. This plan includes the activation of a National Cholera Task Force, aiming to enhance the cholera response across affected regions.
The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that the current outbreak's Case Fatality Ratio (CFR) of 1.9 percent exceeds its emergency threshold. Most cases are from Hirshabelle State, particularly in the districts of Belet Weyne, Bulo Burto, Jalalaqsi, and Jowhar, which were severely affected by the late 2023 floods.
Somalia has been facing continuous AWD/cholera transmission since 2022, with the Banadir region being affected since the drought of 2017. In 2023, the country recorded more than 18,304 cholera cases and 46 deaths, with a significant impact on children below five years of age. The outbreak is primarily driven by limited access to clean water, inadequate sanitation, and decreased immunity among malnourished children.
To combat the outbreak, a Cholera National Task Force has been activated, with new treatment centers established in critical areas. Efforts are also focused on enhancing surveillance, laboratory capacity, and community education. However, challenges such as improving treatment center capacity, training health workers, and securing adequate funding for response activities persist.
The health crisis is further compounded by recent heavy rains, attributed to an El Nino event, affecting over 706,100 people and displacing more than 113,690 across Somalia. The South West and Jubaland states are among the most affected regions. The Somalia Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) has declared an emergency in these areas, and relief efforts are ongoing to support the affected population.