Cholera : the WHO considers the worrying situation in the DRC

WHO/Eugene Kabambi/Flickr

Published the 10.09.2017 to 12: 30 pm

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RDCcholéraépidémie

The cholera epidemic in the democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) ” reached worrying proportions “, said the world Health Organization (WHO) in Kinshasa, the capital of the country. Since the end of the month of July, more than 24, 200 people have been sick and 528 died.

Out of the 26 provinces of the country, 20 of which are affected. Each week, 1,500 new cases are identified. “The illness is already of major cities of the country such as Bandundu City, Bukavu, Goma, Manono, Malemba-Nkulu, Minova, Mokala, Kimpese, Uvira and some health zones of Kinshasa. “

The authorities fear that the epidemic is spreading to the region of the Grand Kasai, located at the center of the country. The conditions of health and safety there are “gradients” which increases the vulnerability of the population in the face of this diarrhoeal disease.

Experts dispatched on-site

To support the DRC, WHO was sent in early September a group of international experts to develop an emergency plan to stop the spread of cholera. “It is essential that the sanitation of the environment, hygiene, individual and collective, are put into practice and that the drinking water is accessible to the populations most exposed to the risk of contamination of the cholera,” said Dr Allarangar Yokouidé, WHO representative in the DRC.

“The cholera is now a humanitarian emergency of the first rank in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and we need to pool resources for a quality response to this epidemic,” has ajuté the Minister of Public Health, inviting the partner to fund the plan in response to the epidemic.

Clean up the water

The WHO has already committed to contribute immediately to the tune of $ 400 000 (332 000 euros) to support the deployment of teams in priority areas. Kits cholera including solutions of hydration and the medications have also been forwarded.

Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease that can kill within hours without treatment. It is transmitted by ingestion of food or water contaminated by faeces. The supply of drinking water and sanitation are essential to halting the spread of the disease.