Somalia sounds alarm as cholera outbreak surges

The Ministry of Health and Human Services in Somalia has reported a rapid spread of cholera across the country in the wake of intense flooding caused by El Nino rains in late 2023. According to the latest update released by the Ministry, a total of 2,567 new cholera cases and 23 deaths have been reported since January. The severity of the outbreak is underscored by the fact that 59% of the cases were classified as severe, and 50% of the reported cases were female. Additionally, 62% of the cases were children under five years of age, highlighting the heightened risk faced by this age group.

The report also emphasized the severity of the outbreak by stating that the case fatality rate was 0.9%. The World Health Organization has noted that Somalia has had uninterrupted AWD/cholera transmission since 2022, and specifically in the Banadir region since the drought of 2017. In 2023, over 18,304 cumulative cases and 46 deaths were reported in Somalia, with over 10,000 of the cases being children aged below five years.

Cholera is an acute intestinal infection that spreads through food and water contaminated with bacteria, often from feces. The rapid spread of cholera in Somalia is a cause for concern, especially in the aftermath of intense flooding and the ongoing impact of El Nino rains. The vulnerability of women and young children to cholera infection further exacerbates the situation. The Ministry of Health and Human Services is working to address this outbreak and prevent further spread of the disease.

It is important for the international community to support Somalia in dealing with this public health crisis, especially in providing assistance to vulnerable populations such as women and children. The Ministry of Health and Human Services will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary to address the cholera outbreak in Somalia.