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WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES
Week 46: 08 – 14 November 2021
Data as reported by: 17:00; 14 November 2021
...
Cholera Togo
17 Cases
4 Death
23.5% CFR
EVENT DESCRIPTION
A cholera outbreak is ongoing in Agouégan village, Agouégan health
area (HA) located in the Lacs district in Togo. The index case was
notified on 5 November 2021 by the health unit of Agouégan. This
was a 15-year-old boy admitted for diarrhoea and signs of severe
dehydration who died later. A stool sample analysed at the National
Institute of Hygiene (INH) laboratory tested positive for Vibrio
cholerae on 7 November 2021. The index case was sharing the
same neighbourhood with a probable case who sought health care
at the same health facility on 3 November 2021 and later died in the
community on 4 November 2021.
Initial investigations conducted by the Lacs health district team
detected two additional community deaths that occurred on 1
November 2021 having signs and symptoms consistent with cholera.
These two community deaths were linked to the second case who
died on 4 November 2021.
As of 9 November 2021, a total of 17 cases and 4 deaths (case fatality
ratio (CFR) = 23.5%) have been reported in the Lacs district. The 10
to 20-year age group is the most affected with 17.6% (3/17). The sex
ratio is 1:1 and the median age is 33.5 years old (range 9 to 68). The
village of Agouégan is near the Togolese border with Benin where
another cholera outbreak is ongoing, and it is separated from Benin
by the Mono River. The trade exchanges and populations movements
between Benin and Togo through the Agouégan village are intense
especially on market day, increasing the risk of cross-border cholera
transmission in both directions.
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS
Additional human resources were deployed to the Agouégan
health Unit to support response activities.
The cholera response plan has been finalized.
Cholera treatment medicines, water purification tablets, medical
supplies and medical equipment (ambulance, sprayer, cholera
beds) have been delivered to the affected health district.
Home disinfection for cases is ongoing.
Response teams are strengthening surveillance systems in the
affected areas.
Risk communication activities have started with awareness
messages on cholera in the community, and meetings with
community leaders for their involvement in the outbreak
response activities.
SITUATION INTERPRETATION
Since 1990, major cholera outbreaks have been recorded in
different areas of Togo. The Lacs district is one of the at-risk
areas for cholera due to poor environmental hygiene conditions
coupled with recurrent flooding and open defecation which is
common in the area. Access to drinking water is suboptimal.
The proximity of the Lacs district to Benin that is also
experiencing cholera outbreak is concerning given the frequent
high population movements between the two countries.
PROPOSED ACTION
Cholera remains a disease linked to poor hygiene conditions,
therefore, efforts should be made to improve access to a clean
source of sufficient drinking water and sanitation facilities.
All these improved hygiene conditions actions should be
accompanied by the robust awareness-raising activities to the
populations for them to abandon cholera risky practices.
Cross-border collaboration with neighboring countries must be
intensified to limit cross-border transmission.
...
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES
Week 46: 08 – 14 November 2021
Data as reported by: 17:00; 14 November 2021
...
Cholera Togo
17 Cases
4 Death
23.5% CFR
EVENT DESCRIPTION
A cholera outbreak is ongoing in Agouégan village, Agouégan health
area (HA) located in the Lacs district in Togo. The index case was
notified on 5 November 2021 by the health unit of Agouégan. This
was a 15-year-old boy admitted for diarrhoea and signs of severe
dehydration who died later. A stool sample analysed at the National
Institute of Hygiene (INH) laboratory tested positive for Vibrio
cholerae on 7 November 2021. The index case was sharing the
same neighbourhood with a probable case who sought health care
at the same health facility on 3 November 2021 and later died in the
community on 4 November 2021.
Initial investigations conducted by the Lacs health district team
detected two additional community deaths that occurred on 1
November 2021 having signs and symptoms consistent with cholera.
These two community deaths were linked to the second case who
died on 4 November 2021.
As of 9 November 2021, a total of 17 cases and 4 deaths (case fatality
ratio (CFR) = 23.5%) have been reported in the Lacs district. The 10
to 20-year age group is the most affected with 17.6% (3/17). The sex
ratio is 1:1 and the median age is 33.5 years old (range 9 to 68). The
village of Agouégan is near the Togolese border with Benin where
another cholera outbreak is ongoing, and it is separated from Benin
by the Mono River. The trade exchanges and populations movements
between Benin and Togo through the Agouégan village are intense
especially on market day, increasing the risk of cross-border cholera
transmission in both directions.
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS
Additional human resources were deployed to the Agouégan
health Unit to support response activities.
The cholera response plan has been finalized.
Cholera treatment medicines, water purification tablets, medical
supplies and medical equipment (ambulance, sprayer, cholera
beds) have been delivered to the affected health district.
Home disinfection for cases is ongoing.
Response teams are strengthening surveillance systems in the
affected areas.
Risk communication activities have started with awareness
messages on cholera in the community, and meetings with
community leaders for their involvement in the outbreak
response activities.
SITUATION INTERPRETATION
Since 1990, major cholera outbreaks have been recorded in
different areas of Togo. The Lacs district is one of the at-risk
areas for cholera due to poor environmental hygiene conditions
coupled with recurrent flooding and open defecation which is
common in the area. Access to drinking water is suboptimal.
The proximity of the Lacs district to Benin that is also
experiencing cholera outbreak is concerning given the frequent
high population movements between the two countries.
PROPOSED ACTION
Cholera remains a disease linked to poor hygiene conditions,
therefore, efforts should be made to improve access to a clean
source of sufficient drinking water and sanitation facilities.
All these improved hygiene conditions actions should be
accompanied by the robust awareness-raising activities to the
populations for them to abandon cholera risky practices.
Cross-border collaboration with neighboring countries must be
intensified to limit cross-border transmission.
...
