CHOLERA, DIARRHEA AND DYSENTERY UPDATE 2009 (06): AFRICA
********************************************************
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ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
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In this update:
[1] Cholera - Cameroon update
[2] Cholera - Botswana (Francistown)
[3] Diarrhea - WHO Report

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[1] Cholera - Cameroon update
Date: Fri 30 Oct 2009
Source: Reuters (Africa) [edited]
<http://af.reuters.com/articlePrint?articleId=AFJOE59T0I220091030>


Cameroon cholera death toll rises to 65
---------------------------------------
Cholera has killed 65 people in Cameroon since mid-September [2009] 
in the deadliest outbreak in 5 years, leading the government to step 
up monitoring and sanitation efforts. The disease strikes often in 
the West African country, where less than half of the population have 
access to potable water, according to the United Nations.

Prime Minister Philemon Yang said on Friday [30 Oct 2009] he had 
asked the Health Ministry to boost surveillance of outbreaks along 
the border with Nigeria, where the government believes the current 
epidemic originated. He also asked the Interior Ministry to develop a 
hygiene and sanitation program aimed at preventing future outbreaks.

Officials have reported 407 cases of cholera since mid-September 
[2009]. Most of the 65 deaths have been in remote areas in the Far 
North that have no access to health facilities, according to Yang's 
press release. The outbreak is the worst since one in 2004 that 
killed 100 people in the economic capital, Douala.

Last week [week ending 24 Oct 2009], Cameroon's water utility said it 
had secured USD 192.6 million in loans from Belgian bank Dexia and 
China to extend water supplies in Douala and rural areas.

[Byline: Tansa Musa]

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>

[The most affected area is the Far North region (also known as the 
Extreme North Region). It is the northern most constituent province 
of the Republic of Cameroon and can be located on the ProMED/Health 
map of Cameroon at
<http://healthmap.org/r/00Yv>. - Mod.JFW]

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[2] Cholera - Botswana (Francistown)
Date: 31 Oct 2009
Source: FTO (South Africa) [edited]
<http://fto.co.za/news/new-cholera-outbreak-zimbabwe-2009103115667.html>


Botswana on alert following new cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe
------------------------------------------------
Health officials in Francistown, Botswana, have warned the public to 
be on guard following recent reports of a new cholera outbreak in 
neighboring Zimbabwe. Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital public relations 
officer Caiphus Gabana said the hospital in conjunction with the 
district health team is closely monitoring the situation to avoid the 
deadly disease from spreading to Botswana.

He said they are still assessing the seriousness of the situation to 
see if there is a threat to Botswana. He added that if the assessment 
proves that there is a crisis they will send some 
doctors-without-borders to Zimbabwe to help control the outbreak.

"We haven't sat down yet to consider which way to go. But as for now, 
I can only advise people to be on guard. If they see any symptoms 
that they suspect to be from cholera, they should rush to the nearest 
hospital or clinic before the disease gets out of hand," cautioned 
Gabana. He said it was paramount for the disease to be treated at an 
early stage, before the bacteria spreads. He urged the general public 
to practice personal hygiene, adding that supermarkets and food 
outlets in the city should exercise caution when serving clients.

He explained that cholera is a bacterial disease that is caused by 
drinking contaminated water or eating unhygienic food. He said the 
major symptoms of cholera are diarrhea and vomiting. Last week [week 
ending 24 Oct 2009] it was reported that at least 5 people in 
Zimbabwe had died of cholera, while many others received treatment.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-EAFR
<promed@promedmail.org>

[Francistown city is located in Eastern Botswana (90 km, or 56 miles, 
from the border with Zimbabwe) and can be seen on the 
HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Botswana that is available 
at  <http://healthmap.org/r/00Yw>. - Mod.JFW]


******
[3] Diarrhea - WHO Report
Date: Sat 31 Oct 2009
Source: Medindia.net [edited]
<http://www.medindia.net/news/Diarrhoea-Kills-Three-Times-More-People-Than-Thought-WHO-60209-1.htm>


Diarrhea Kills 3 Times More People Than Thought: WHO
----------------------------------------------------
Diarrhea kills at least 3 times more people than previously thought, 
the World Health Organisation said Friday [30 Oct 2009], citing 
latest data showing that 1.1 million people die yearly from the 
ailment. "The burden of disease from diarrhoea is significantly 
higher than was previously considered," said Jorgen Schlundt, who is 
director of food safety department at the World Health Organization (WHO).

Some 1.1 million people who are older than 5 in Africa and Asia die 
from the ailment every year, according to new figures from a 
6-year-long study to be concluded in 2012 on food-borne diseases. 
Previous research, which commenced in 2002 and which had been 
regularly updated, had estimated only 300 000 deaths annually among 
those older than 5 world-wide.

Schlundt said the current study showed a sharp difference compared to 
earlier research as it looks deeper into the problem. He hoped that 
the latest data would bring greater awareness to the ailment that is 
both preventable and treatable.

"There are still some countries that believe that food safety is not 
very important and that not many people die in relation to food 
safety and food-borne diseases but we have data to show that it is a 
significant problem and it's something that could be dealt with," 
said Schlundt.

Diarrhoea, largely caused by contaminated water and food, also claims 
the lives of 1.5 million children under the age of 5 a year, 
according to United Nations (UN) estimates.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>


[Cholera is one of the contributors to diarrhea deaths in Africa as 
highlighted in the recent WHO report, with contaminated water and 
food being the commonest causes of diarrhea. To highlight the 
problem, the cholera outbreak in Cameroon has claimed 16 percent 
(65/407) of those affected by the deadly disease. The majority of the 
victims have been residents of the Far North region where access to 
health services is very low. The high Case Fatality Rate (16 percent) 
points to the need to improve access to health care in addition to 
addressing the underlying causes of the outbreak; i.e., low access to 
safe water (<50 percent) and sanitation facilities.

In Southern Africa, the authorities in Francistown city, Botswana, 
are moving fast to avert an imminent risk of the cholera outbreak 
spreading across the border from Zimbabwe. These initiatives together 
with those initiated already in Zimbabwe will go a long way in 
preventing a full scale outbreak in the region akin to the one we saw 
last year. - Mod.JFW]


[see also:
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2009 (05): Africa  20091028.203339
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2009 (04): Africa  20091024.203279
Cholera - Cameroon: (North)  20091024.203261
Cholera - Zimbabwe (03)  20091023.203230
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2009 (03): Africa  20091018.203150
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2009 (02): Africa  20091011.203025
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2009 (01): Africa  20091009.202994
Cholera - Nigeria (02): (Borno)  20091003.202860
Cholera - Uganda (02): (Kasese)  20091002.202854]


[Additional background information on cholera is available from the 
general ProMED-mail list. The postings below can be found at
http://www.promedmail.org. - Mod.JFW


Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2009 (26)  20091023.3653
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2009 (25)  20091009.3500
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2009 (24)  20090930.3411
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2009 (23)  20090921.3319
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2009 (22)  20090913.3223]
....................jfw/ejp/be

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