Cholera and AWD outbreak bulletin in Eastern and Southern Africa, as of 20 October 2017, 6 Issue

Regional Update - as at 20 October 2017

Highlights

More than 104,095 cholera / AWD cases and 1562 deaths (Case Fatality Rate: 1.5%) have been reported in 12 of 21 countries of Eastern and Southern Africa Region (ESAR) since the beginning of 2017. These countries include; Angola, Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Somalia accounts for 75% of the total cases reported in 2017, followed by South Sudan at 15.9%. In the past 2 weeks (Week 40-41), 8 out of the 21 countries in ESAR have reported active transmission of cholera / AWD (Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia), with Tanzania reporting the highest number of new cases (153) in week 40. Of the 8 countries, Kenya and South Sudan have recorded the highest CFR at 1.8% in 2017, followed closely by Uganda (1.7%) and Tanzania (1.6%). CFR for Somalia was above 2% at the beginning of 2017 but has since dropped to 1.4%.

Somalia: There has been a slight decrease in the epidemic trend. During week 40 (week ending 8 October 2017), 101 new cases were reported in the country; compared to 126 cases reported in week 39 (Week ending 1 October 2017). All the new cases emerged from Somali land where most affected regions areTogdheer, Awdal and Mjeex.

Kenya: 3 Counties (Nairobi, Garissa and Kajiado) have an active cholera outbreak. During week 41 (week ending 15 October 2017), 41 new cases including 2 deaths (CFR 4.9%) were reported compared to 40 cases reported in week 40.

South Sudan: A declining trend in cholera cases has been noted over the past 4 weeks. Most of the cases have emerged from Juba and Budi Counties. During week 40, 43 new cases were reported; compared to 40 cases reported in week 39.

Tanzania: During week 40, 153 new cases including 1 death (CFR 0.7%) have been reported; compared to 119 cases including 2 deaths (CFR 0.4%) in week 39. New cases emerged from Tanga, Mbeya, Iringa and Songwe regions.

Malawi: 6 new cases have been reported in Week 41. These cases emerged from Chikwawa district.

Burundi: During week 40, 6 new cases were reported. These cases emerged from Bubanza, Isare and Cibitoke provinces.

Zambia: A new cholera outbreak has been reported from the 4 October 2017. A total of 69 cases have been reported since then. The cases emerged from Chipata and Kanyama districts in Lusaka

Uganda: A new cholera outbreak was notified on 26 September 2017. A total of 178 cases including 3 deaths (CFR: 1.7%) have been reported since then. Of these cases, 23 were reported in week 41. These cases emerged from Kasese and Nebbi districts.