DRC - Cholera outbreak 2025

[Pathfinder]

Lualaba Province
/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lualaba_Province
------------------------------------------
Translation Google

Lualaba: Cholera resurfaces in Fungurume, deaths recorded

Sunday, January 12, 2025 - 7:19 p.m.

Since December 31, 2024, the province of Lualaba has been facing a worrying resurgence of cholera cases. The most affected areas are the commune of Fungurume, specifically the Manomapia district and its surroundings, as well as the city of Lubudi.

To date, three deaths have been recorded among the 82 reported cases. Similar cases have also been identified in Mpumpi village, raising concerns about a possible spread.

According to Kayinda Kasela Pitshou, provincial minister of Health, Education, Social and Humanitarian Affairs, Gender, Family and Children, who gives these figures, cholera is a highly contagious infectious disease.

"This epidemic is characterized by episodes of acute and abundant diarrhea, often accompanied by vomiting. Without rapid treatment, this disease leads to severe dehydration that can be fatal in just a few hours," she said.

However, simple solutions, such as oral or intravenous rehydration, can significantly reduce mortality.

The provincial Minister of Health says that to limit the spread of this epidemic, it is imperative to adopt strict hygiene measures. Kayinda Kasela Pitshou reminds all residents of the instructions.

"We must wash our hands regularly with clean water and soap, use clean latrines to avoid environmental contamination, consume only potable water, but also ensure that food is well cooked before consumption. These simple but essential actions are the first line of defense against this disease."

Health authorities have stressed that if a relative, neighbour or family member develops symptoms of cholera, it is crucial to act quickly. They recommend taking patients immediately to the nearest cholera treatment centre, where free care is available.

“It is important not to panic, because rapid and appropriate care can save lives,” adds Kayinda Kasela Pitshou.

The provincial government, in collaboration with its partners, is stepping up efforts to curb this outbreak and reduce the number of victims. Awareness campaigns are underway in the affected areas, and additional medical resources have been mobilized to meet the needs.

However, the success of these efforts depends on the active collaboration of the entire population. Compliance with hygiene measures and collective vigilance are key factors in stopping the spread of this disease.

Timothy Prince ODIA

https://actualite.cd/2025/01/12/lualaba-le-cholera-refait-surface-fungurume-des-deces-enregistres

[Pathfinder]

Translation Google

Tanganyika: 108 cases of cholera and two deaths recorded in two health zones

February 13, 2025

Kalemie, February 13, 2025 (ACP).-108 cases of cholera plus two deaths have been recorded in the health zones of Kalemie and Nyemba since this epidemic broke out six weeks ago in Kalemie in the province of Tanganyika in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, ACP learned from a health source.

" Since the beginning of 2025, I have received up to Wednesday, February 12, one hundred and eight cases of cholera epidemic patients from different health areas of two health zones of Kalemie and Nyemba ," the head nurse of the Waterborne Disease Treatment Center (CTMD) of the Kalemie General Reference Hospital, Véronique Zadio, told ACP.

She stressed that all cases of hospitalized patients are taken care of with the inputs that the CTMD receives from the provincial health division across the two health zones which are hit by the outbreak of the cholera epidemic which has a tendency to increase new cases in the sixth week.

On this occasion, she deplored the lack of food to feed the patients interned in this center despite the medical inputs that the CTMD receives to offer quality care to cholera victims coming from these two health zones and whose number increases day by day.

The Kalemie health zone is in the lead with 65 cases of cholera reported and two deaths in the sixth week while that of Nyemba records 43 three cases of cholera for the same period and which are all treated in the CTMD at the Kalemie general reference hospital, specified, for his part, the supervisor of hospitals in the Kalemie health zone, Germain Kalunga.

On this subject, he launched an appeal to the authorities of Kalemie and partners to look into this cholera epidemic, the number of cases of which continues to increase at the waterborne disease treatment center (CTMD).

He announced that ten chlorination sites have already been installed on the beaches of Lake Tanganyika in Kalemie with the support of the Congolese Red Cross to provide the population with clean water due to the lack of drinking water from REGIDESO in certain districts of the city.

To stop the spread of this epidemic in the city of Kalemie, the authority calls on the population of these two health zones to strictly observe hygiene rules, it was reported.

ACP/CL

https://acp.cd/sante/tanganyika-108-cas-de-cholera-et-deux-morts-enregistres-dans-deux-zones-de-sante/

---------------------------------------------
Maniema: More than 30 suspected cases of cholera, including 6 deaths, reported in Pangi

13.02.2025

Nearly 38 suspected cases of cholera, including 6 deaths, have been reported in less than a week in the rural health zone of Kampene, located in the territory of Pangi, province of Maniema.

During an interview with the press on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, Corneille Bushiri Makula, honorary provincial deputy of Pangi, informed that these suspected cases were reported in the health area of Butumba, within the health zone of Kampene. The deaths, for their part, were recorded in the villages of Libino, Lukombo and Kashale, located on the edge of the rural health zone of Kailo.

According to the same source, people suffering from this bacterial diarrheal disease have characteristic symptoms, including liquid stools resembling rice water. Some patients have been transferred to the Bilundu Reference Health Center in the Kibombo health zone to receive treatment.

However, the lack of resources in local health facilities complicates the care of patients, leading to deaths due to the lack of appropriate treatment. Faced with this alarming situation, the honorary elected official of Pangi is sending an SOS to the competent authorities for rapid intervention.

He also urges the population to avoid any handling of the victims' bodies, in order to prevent the spread of the epidemic.

The provincial health division promises to comment on the situation after analyzing the data.

https://www.mediacongo.net/article-actualite-147355_maniema_plus_de_30_cas_suspects_de_cholera_dont_6_deces_signales_a_pangi.html

--------------------------------------------------

Haut-Katanga: outbreak of suspected cholera cases in Lubumbashi

12.02.2025

The city of Lubumbashi is recording an alarming increase in suspected cases of acute diarrhea. These patients are systematically transferred to the cholera treatment center located in the commune of Kenya. So far, health authorities have not officially declared a new epidemic in the city.

Trésor, an employee of a security company, lost a family member this Monday morning. The deceased suffered from diarrhea and vomiting before succumbing in a medical facility. "At the hospital, they told us it was cholera. So we buried him this Tuesday morning," he said.

Trésor's case is not isolated. Since the end of November 2024, Lubumbashi has been recording suspected cases of cholera. However, the situation has become increasingly worrying in the last two weeks. The cholera treatment center, located in the commune of Kenya, has already recorded more than 80 suspected cases. "All cholera cases are sent there," explain a trainee doctor and a guard met at the Janson Sendwe General Hospital.

Essential support for patient care

During each cholera outbreak, several humanitarian organizations intervene to facilitate the care of patients. They provide medicines and medical equipment. These organizations include Doctors Without Borders (MSF), the Red Cross, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. This Monday morning, a new batch of medicines and medical equipment was delivered to the cholera treatment center in the commune of Kenya.

Despite this mobilization, the provincial Ministry of Health has not yet made an official statement confirming the existence of a cholera epidemic in Lubumbashi.

More than 500 suspected cases of cholera recorded in January 2025

Meanwhile, the National Cholera Elimination Program in the DRC regularly publishes epidemiological reports. In January 2025, the city of Lubumbashi recorded 577 suspected cases of cholera, including two deaths. Of the 43 samples collected and analyzed in the city's laboratories, 20 tested positive.

Most affected areas: Kampemba: 161 cases, including 2 deaths; Katuba: 131 cases; Kisanga: 95 cases; Mumbunda: 54 cases; Ruashi: 40 cases; Kenya: 32 cases.

The health zones of Kamalondo and Vangu, with 5 and 1 cases respectively, are the least affected.

The health situation remains under surveillance, and residents of Lubumbashi are called upon to strengthen hygiene measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

https://www.mediacongo.net/article-actualite-147335_haut_katanga_flambee_des_cas_suspects_de_cholera_a_lubumbashi.html

[sharon sanders]

bump this

[Pathfinder]

Lomami Province
/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lomami_Province
----------------------------------------------
Translation Google

Lomami: 15 cases of severe diarrhea including two deaths in one week in the Ngandanjika health zone

Monday, February 24, 2025 - 06:33

The Ngandanjika health zone in Lomami Province has been facing a resurgence of severe diarrhea accompanied by vomiting for several days. According to the chief medical officer of the zone, Dr. Sylvain Mutanda, a total of 15 cases including two deaths have been recorded in one week. He revealed these figures on Saturday, February 22 after a meeting with the administrator of the Ngandanjika territory.

"The health zone is facing reported cases of diarrhea and vomiting that have even led to the death of a man. This is why the territorial authority held this meeting to take measures to combat this disease that is raging in the area and guarantee peace among our population because in the last week, we have recorded 15 cases including two deaths," he said.

While waiting for confirmation of a possible cholera epidemic, Doctor Sylvain Mutanda called for strict compliance with hygiene measures to avoid danger.

"The main message to the population is to be able to observe hygiene measures such as washing hands regularly, drinking treated water, preferably boiled water. Using hygienic latrines where there are no flies and taking suspected cases to the hospital or to a health center where care is organized," added the chief medical officer of the Ngandanjika area.

The appearance of this severe diarrhea raises concerns among the local population who hope for an urgent solution to avoid the cholera disease which often recur in the region.

Michel Cyala

https://actualite.cd/index.php/2025/02/24/lomami-15-cas-de-diarrhee-severe-dont-deux-morts-en-une-semaine-dans-la-zone-de-sante-de

[Pathfinder]

DRC: The city of Goma threatened by cholera, around twenty cases including one death recorded in particular in the MONUSCO camp which hosts unarmed Congolese soldiers

Monday, February 24, 2025 - 2:03 p.m.

The cholera epidemic is also threatening the city of Goma, which a month ago was shaken by violent fighting between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and the M23 rebels. According to humanitarian sources, suspected cases of this epidemic have been recorded in and around Goma. One death has also been reported.

The disease is located in particular in the MONUSCO camp where dozens of unarmed Congolese soldiers have taken refuge.

“Suspected cases of cholera have been reported within the MONUSCO camp in Goma, where many disarmed FARDC [soldiers] have taken refuge. To date, one death due to cholera has been recorded, while 24 suspected cases are being treated. Rapid screening tests have confirmed three cases among them. In-depth diagnosis is ongoing,” reports a report from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

The World Health Organization (WHO) has put in place response measures.

"These include the isolation and treatment of affected people, as well as the distribution of water, hygiene and sanitation kits to the occupants of the camp. The health cluster has warned of a worsening of the cholera epidemic in and around Goma, with 420 cases and 1 death reported over two consecutive weeks (from 3 to 15 February), or more than a third of the 1,280 cases of cholera recorded throughout the province of North Kivu since the beginning of the year," the same source indicates.

The city of Goma is struggling to return to normal after the war, which has had enormous humanitarian consequences. The environment has been affected by significant insalubrity, and water and electricity supplies have been cut off for several days. The displaced persons' sites around Goma have been destroyed, forcing its populations to return to their original environments in inappropriate conditions.

https://actualite.cd/2025/02/24/rdc-la-ville-de-goma-menacee-par-le-cholera-une-vingtaine-de-cas-dont-un-deces-recenses

[Pathfinder]

Translation Google

Tanganyika: 365 cases of cholera recorded in a health zone

February 28, 2025

Kalemie, February 28, 2024 (ACP).- 365 cases of cholera, including one death, were recorded in the 9th epidemiological week in the health zone of Kalemie, in the province of Tanganyika, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the ACP learned on Friday from a health source.

“ We are already at a growing number of 365 cases including one death from cholera which has been raging since January 2025 in the Kalemie health zone ,” said Mr. Germain Kalunga Mukeno, hospital administrator and supervisor in charge of primary health care in the Kalemie health zone.

" It is the health area of the Kalemie general referral hospital which includes the Kankomba TSF and Kankomba Office districts as well as the Kalumbi and DAV districts, which have more than 40% of the 365 cases recorded and treated at the waterborne disease treatment center (CTMD) ", he specified.

Furthermore, he continued, the health zone of Nyemba, neighboring that of Kalemie, has already recorded more than 300 cases of Cholera with two deaths, of which all cases of sick people are sent for treatment and hospitalization to the CTMD.

He indicated that the consumption of raw water from the Lukuga River and Lake Tanganyika by the population of the Kankomba, Kalumbi, Kataki 1 and 2 districts as well as in the Dav district, is also at the root of the increasing resurgence of cholera cases in the HGR health area.

" This resurgence is also due to the inadequacy of latrines in these neighborhoods and the non-compliance with hygiene rules by the population in the health zones of Kalemie and Nyemba ," he said.

All cholera cases are treated free of charge at the waterborne disease treatment centre (CTMD) at the Kalemie general referral hospital. ACP/ODM

https://acp.cd/sante/tanganyika-365-cas-de-cholera-enregistres-dans-une-zone-de-sante/

[Pathfinder]

South Kivu
/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Kivu
-----------------------------------
Translation Google

DRC: Cholera rages among soldiers in Uvira, already around forty cases

Monday March 3, 2025 - 06:33

The Uvira health zone in South Kivu is facing an outbreak of cholera cases among soldiers. At least 40 cases are hospitalized at the Cholera Treatment Unit (UTC) at the Uvira General Hospital, hospital sources tell ACTUALITE.CD.

“The treatment unit is totally overwhelmed. There are patients (military, Editor’s note) who are lying on the floor and we continue to receive new cases,” explained a medical official who is calling for increased inputs to combat this outbreak.

The Congolese government is organizing to support the response. The situation in Uvira had deteriorated in recent weeks following clashes between the Wazalendo and the FARDC. All activities were closed and hospitals in the area had to cope with the influx of wounded.

A context which has forced humanitarian organisations such as Médecins Sans Frontières to withdraw its staff from the town of Uvira while the M23/AFC rebels supported by Rwanda threaten to attack the town.

https://actualite.cd/2025/03/03/rdc-le-cholera-fait-rage-parmi-les-militaires-uvira-deja-une-quarantaine-de-cas

--------------------------------------------------

Haut-Katanga
/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haut-Katanga_Province
--------------------------------
Cholera in Lubumbashi: Authorities ask families to take suspected cases to specialized centers

Published on Mon, 03/03/2025 - 06:03 | Modified on Mon, 03/03/2025 - 07:05

The cholera epidemic has been declared for a few days in the city of Lubumbashi (Haut-Katanga), affecting all its 7 communes, according to the health authorities. To counter the spread of this contagious and deadly disease, the health and political-administrative authorities ask families whose members present symptoms of this waterborne disease, to take them quickly to the Cholera Treatment Centers (CTC), for free care.

The provincial government of Haut-Katanga has already made available specialized treatment centers, including one located in the commune of Kenya, with qualified personnel.

These authorities also call on the population to avoid handling the bodies of victims to prevent the spread of this disease, often called "dirty hands disease".

To raise awareness, the mayor of Lubumbashi, Joyce Tunda, organized a working session this weekend with the mayors of the seven communes of the copper capital.

They discussed the means to be put in place to eradicate this disease which has already brought mourning to many families. After this meeting, the mayors made a commitment to intensify awareness-raising among their constituents.

Compliance with hygiene measures

The authorities in Lubumbashi are calling on the population to clean up their environment, to wash fruits, vegetables and other foods thoroughly before eating them, to wash their hands regularly and to avoid any contact with sick people.

The interim head of the urban division, Farry Tshibalonza, raised the alarm and recalled that this disease was wreaking havoc in the copper-rich capital, without giving figures: " The cholera situation in the entire city of Lubumbashi is catastrophic. We must do everything possible to try to put an end to this disease. Let everyone be responsible for what concerns them in order to work together ."

Health authorities indicate that the most affected communes are Kampemba, Katuba and Annexe.

https://www.radiookapi.net/2025/03/03/actualite/sante/cholera-lubumbashi-les-autorites-demandent-aux-familles-de-conduire-les

[Pathfinder]

/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sake,_Democratic_Republic_of_the_Congo
-----------------------------------
Translation Google

DRC-M23: Returnees confronted with several diseases including cholera, more than 270 patients are treated at the Sake reference health center

Friday, March 7, 2025 - 4:00 p.m.

The return movements of displaced people to their places of origin have continued in North Kivu since the capture of the city of Goma by the M23 rebels at the end of January. After months spent in the Bushagara and Kanyaruchinya camps, many families are arriving in their villages where they are faced with a precarious life, causing multiple health challenges. The returnees are being battered by cholera, among other things. This is the case for those who arrived in the city of Sake, at least 26 kilometers west of Goma.

"Families returning to their damaged homes are facing precarious living conditions. They found that everything was destroyed: their houses, their fields and even the sanitary facilities left by humanitarians in the city were destroyed by the clashes. They are forced to drink untreated water, which affects most of the displaced people," Munguiko, former head of the Mugunga-Lwashi displaced persons site on the outskirts of Goma, told ACTUALITE.CD.

Cholera is now threatening communities back in Sake where more than 270 patients are being treated.

“We now have more than 270 patients suffering from cholera with symptoms such as acute diarrhoea and vomiting,” said Dunia Mwendakwabo clover, head nurse at the Sake referral health centre.

During the war between the M23 and loyalist forces in Sake, the health center was damaged, although it now receives 20 times more patients than before.

“Our structure had become a home for some soldiers. During the clashes, everything was destroyed and looted. When the displaced people returned, we were faced with this epidemic and other diseases, but unfortunately, we don’t know what to do. Before, we received 10, 20, 30 sick people per day, but today, we receive up to 150 daily. Without the help of MSF, I don’t know what we would do. They provided us with medicines, which at least allows us to treat the sick,” added the nurse in charge of Sake.

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which is organising the treatment, fears a stock shortage because supplies remain difficult due to the airport closure.

“We are calling for a humanitarian corridor to be opened to allow us to receive our stocks of medicines blocked abroad. Currently, we are only using the medicines we had in reserve. We are also calling on other actors to come and help these displaced people. With the resurgence of diseases, we are asking for the involvement of other organisations that could complement our actions. If MSF focuses mainly on the medical aspect, other structures could intervene in areas such as the environment, access to water and many other sectors. It is urgent to provide assistance to the affected families,” said Mulomba Georges, head of MSF nursing care.

Apart from cholera, other diseases such as malaria, respiratory infections and malnutrition are raging. Returning to the villages does not guarantee immediate access to food resources. The people of Sake need help.

“Please help us. I arrived here five days ago with severe stomach pains because I had not found drinking water or food. I endured at home but finally I had to come to the hospital,” said one displaced person.

Another added: "We found everything destroyed. My house had caught fire. I went back expecting to find a roof over my head, but there was nothing left. I am forced to stay in a camp with other people whose villages are still insecure."

The displaced persons' camps have been emptied following the order of the AFC/M23, which claims not to want the presence of huts and other makeshift shelters in Goma. These return movements are, however, being carried out in inappropriate conditions. Several humanitarian organizations have denounced the forced nature of the return of displaced persons to their places of origin.

Yvonne Kapinga

https://actualite.cd/2025/03/07/rdc-m23-des-retournes-confrontes-plusieurs-maladies-dont-le-cholera-plus-de-270-patients

[Pathfinder]

Translation Google

Tanganyika: 32 cases of cholera recorded in Moba in two weeks

Published on Thu, 03/13/2025 - 7:32 PM | Modified on Thu, 03/13/2025 - 7:32 PM

A total of 32 cases of cholera were recorded during the 10th week in the Mulunguzi health area, Moba health zone.

This situation requires urgent and collective mobilization to fight this disease, warned the interim chief medical officer of the health zone, Ricky Mbayo, on Thursday, March 14:

" To this day, we are still reporting cases. At least, we are reporting and responding because the supplies are available. This is not only in Mulunguzi-Centre, but also in the various villages in the Mulunguzi area. When we start reporting 2, 3, or even 4 cases per day, it becomes worrying !"

Generally speaking, according to him, the Moba health zone is living with this disease. "Even the plateau axis is not spared," he specified, due to the movements of the local population. "There are people who leave Mulunguzi, who pass through Mutambala, and who end up in Mulonde," explained Ricky Mbayo, emphasizing the "very rapid" transmission of this disease.

He also asked residents to respect barrier gestures:

Wash your hands with soap;
Do not throw fecal matter into waterways;
In case of contact with a suspected person, go quickly to the health center for disinfection;
In the event of a suspected case, go immediately to the health center to report the situation, in order to allow for the response and disinfection of the places where the sick person resided.

https://www.radiookapi.net/2025/03/13/actualite/sante/tanganyika-32-cas-de-cholera-enregistres-moba-en-deux-semaines