Cholera and AWD outbreak bulletin in Eastern and Southern Africa, as of 5 October 2017, 5 Issue

Regional Update - as at 5 October 2017

Highlights

More than 102,814 cholera / AWD cases and 1551 deaths (Case Fatality Rate: 1.5%) have been reported in 11 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, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Somalia accounts for 76.6% of the total cases reported in 2017, followed by South Sudan at 15.9%. In the past 4 weeks (Week 36-39), 6 out of the 21 countries in ESAR have reported active transmission of cholera / AWD (Burundi, Malawi, Somalia, South Sudan, Kenya and Tanzania), with Tanzania reporting the highest number of new cases (125) in week 38. Cumulatively, South Sudan has recorded the highest CFR (1.9%) followed by Kenya (1.8%) and Tanzania (1.7%) in 2017. CFR for Somalia was above 2% at the beginning of 2017 but has since dropped to 1.4%.

Somalia: There has been a slight increase in the epidemic trend. During week 38 (week ending 24 September 2017), 92 new cases were reported in the country; compared to 61 cases reported in week 37 (Week ending 17 September 2017). All the 92 new cases reported in week 38 emerged from Somali land. Most affected regions areTogdheer, Awdal and Mjeex.

Kenya: 5 out of the 47 Counties (Nairobi, Garissa, Vihiga, Nakuru and Machakos) have an active cholera outbreak. During week 38, 37 new cases including 1 death (CFR 2.7%) were reported compared to 49 cases reported in week 37.

South Sudan: A declining trend in cholera cases has been noted over the past 3 weeks. 3 Counties have active transmission (Juba, Budi and Kapoeta South). During week 36 (Week ending 10 September 2017), 18 new cases were reported; compared to 21 cases reported in week 35 (week ending 3 September 2017).

Tanzania: A decrease in epidemic trend was noted in week 38, 125 new cases including 1 death (CFR 0.8%) have been reported; compared to 236 cases including 1 deaths (CFR 0.4%) in week 37. New cases emerged from Tanga, Mbeya, Iringa, Kigoma and Songwe regions.

Malawi: Current outbreak started within the catchment area of the Chikwawa Hospital. 7 new cases have been reported in Week 39 (week ending 1 October 2017); compared to 12 cases in week 38.

Burundi: During week 38, 3 new cases were reported; compared to 4 cases in week 37. These cases emerged from the city center of Nyanza Lac (Makamba) and Bubanza province.