Increase of confirmed cholera cases in Mogadishu

Cholera has been confirmed in Banadir, Bay, Mudug and Lower Shabelle regions and the number of acute watery diarrhea cases has increased dramatically in the last few months. Since January this year, 4272 cases of acute watery diarrhea/cholera have been reported in Benadir Hospital in Mogadishu alone. However, at this stage most of the cholera cases in the various regions are contained and under control.

The combination of poor sanitation conditions, a shortage of safe water, overcrowding and high malnutrition rates, creates the perfect combination for infectious diseases, such as cholera and pneumonia, to spread and increase the number of deaths. About seventy-five percent of all cases of acute watery diarrhea are children under the age of five.

Partners in the health and water and sanitation sectors are currently preparing for a potential 100,000 cholera cases including 80,000 moderate cases and 20,000 severe cases. Emergency diarrheal disease kits made up of medical supplies such as syringes, infusions, and oral rehydration fluids, are prepositioned by WHO and sent to 13 hospitals in Somalia.

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Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• cholera
• Somalia
• World
• Health
• Organization
• WHO
• Mogadishu