Somalia cholera outbreak update: 6,394 cases, including 42 associated deaths

The Ministry of Health of Somalia announced today 30 new cases of cholera and no deaths for the week ending Sept. 23, bringing the outbreak total to 6394, including 42 associated deaths (case-fatality rate 0.7%) since the beginning of the current outbreak in December 2017.

Of 276 stool samples collected since the beginning of this year and tested in the National Public Heatlh Laboratory in Mogadishu, 80 tested positive for Vibrio cholerae, serotype O1 Ogawa.

The cholera outbreak started in December 2017 in Beletweyne along river Shabelle and has spread to Jowhar, Kismayo, Afgoye Merka and Banadir. Over the past five weeks, there has been a decrease in the number of cases reported in Banadir and Lower Jubba, while during week 38 active transmission was reported in Kismayo district of Lower Jubba, and 7 districts of Banadir region (Darkenly, Daynile, Hodan, Madina, Waberi, Hamarjabjab, and Heliwa districts).