DRC - Cholera outbreak 2024

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South Kivu Province
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Kivu

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Mwenga: Cholera epidemic in Kitutu: CCTSC Mwenga calls for action

14 hours ago

The civil society consultation framework of the Mwenga territory (CCTSC Mwenga) published a dispatch on January 4, 2024, warning of the persistence of the cholera epidemic in the Kitutu health zone (ZS) .

According to the report, the epidemic began in July 2023 and has already killed 19 people. It experienced a period of stabilization in October, but has gained momentum since December.

The main causes of the epidemic include the lack of drinking water, the population's ignorance of hygienic measures and the isolation of the ZS.

CCTSC Mwenga calls on political-administrative authorities, the South Kivu provincial health division, civil society organizations and technical and financial partners to take urgent measures to fight the epidemic.

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Egide Kitumaini

https://gorillafmrdc.org/mwenga-epidemie-de-cholera-a-kitutu-le-cctsc-mwenga-appelle-a-laction/

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Mwenga: three inmates die of diarrhea in Kamituga prison in less than three months

Last updated: 2024/01/09 at 9:05

Three detainees have already died in less than three months at Kamituga central prison in Mwenga territory following an illness with signs of diarrhea.

The last case is that of a detainee named Selemani Fabiano, originally from Sugulu chiefdom of Wamuzimu in Mwenga territory who died on Sunday January 7.

Medical sources and those from local civil society speak of cases that worry many in an area affected by cases of cholera. Lucky Mukamba, urban president of Kamituga civil society, explains that the victims are around 25 years old.

He attributes these cases of diarrhea to the diet to which the prisoners are subjected and the promiscuity of the cells in which they are kept. Lucky Mukamba recalls that in 2023, 10 more died following cases of diarrhea which were subsequently confirmed as cases of cholera.
He requests the intervention of the authorities to avoid the worst.

Contacted on this subject, the director of Kamituga prison Janvier Mutayongwa who is staying in Bukavu for service reasons confirms the facts on the basis of a report sent to him by his collaborators.

The latter affirms that the three prisoners who died of diarrhea were under treatment within this penitentiary establishment.

He adds that it is also possible to record these types of illnesses in Kamituga prison because it is not far from the Kitutu health zone which is experiencing an increase in cholera cases.

Ricky OMBENI

https://radiomaendeleo.info/mwenga-trois-detenus-meurent-de-la-diarrhee-dans-la-prison-de-kamituga-en-moins-de-trois-mois/

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South Kivu: four deaths due to cholera recorded in the Kamituga health zone

January 15, 2024

Kamituga, January 15, 2024 (ACP).- Four deaths due to cholera have been recorded, out of the 37 people affected by this epidemic since the end of last December, in the Kamituga health zone, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, we learned Monday the ACP from local health source.

“We have already recorded four deaths out of 37 cases of cholera in hospitals over the past three weeks in the Kamituga health zone ,” declared the head doctor of the Kamituga health zone, Léandre Mutimbwa Mambo.

“ The technical and financial partners who support the Kamituga health zone are having great difficulty supplying us with medicines following the advanced dilapidation of national road number 2. Only motorcycles can reach the town of Kamituga where trucks no longer arrive. " , he said, adding that the epicenter of this epidemic is located in the Kabukungu health area.

The head doctor of the Kamituga health zone asked the population to respect hygienic measures in order to cut the chain of transmission of this cholera epidemic. ACP/ODM

https://acp.cd/sante/sud-kivu-quatre-deces-dus-au-cholera-enregistres-dans-la-zone-sante-de-kamituga/

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Kamituga: The cholera epidemic is declared in the town of Kamituga

By Editorial January 15 , 2024

The Mayor of the town of Kamituga, Alexandre BUNDYA M'PILA, has just confirmed the existence of the cholera epidemic in the Kamituga health zone following information provided by technical services, in particular the Chief Medical Officer of the Kamituga zone. .

He communicated this information on Monday January 15, 2024 in an official message addressed to the population of his jurisdiction in order to take the necessary health measures to stop the spread of this terrible epidemic which kills quickly.

For this, Alexandre BUNDYA M'PILA asks anyone showing symptoms of cholera to go to the Kamituga General Reference Hospital for free treatment by a team from Médecins Sans Frontières, MSF Holland.

This intervention by MSF and AIDES is the result of advocacy by the Kamituga Area Chief Doctor, Léandre MUTIMBWA MAMBO, with his technical and financial partners for free treatment of patients. Added to this is the decontamination of households affected by cholera, as well as the establishment of a cholera treatment center within the Kamituga general referral hospital.

Note that regarding prisoners affected by cholera, they are all admitted to the General Hospital to receive appropriate care.

By the editorial staff

https://radiostarbukavu.com/2024/01/kamituga-lepidemie-de-cholera-est-declaree-dans-la-ville-de-kamituga/

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Lualaba
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lualaba_Province

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DRC: cholera rages in Lualaba, more than 500 cases including 26 deaths recorded in three months

Friday January 19, 2024 - 08:04

The province of Lualaba is facing the cholera epidemic. According to health authorities, more than 500 cases including 26 deaths have been recorded over the past three months in several health zones. The epidemic started from the city of Bunkeya before spreading to that of Fungurume, Lualaba and elsewhere.

“It is since the 39th epidemiological week of the year 2023 that the health zones of Bunkeya, Fungurume and Lualaba have been facing the cholera epidemic. Currently we have several suspected cases in the health zone of Manika, in the town of Kolwezi as well as in that of Kanzenze in the territory of Mutshatsha", indicated to ACTUALITE.CD Dr Francis Kambol, head of the provincial health division in Lualaba.

He explains the high mortality rate by the late management of cases. Patients are expected earlier in treatment centers, he insists.

Doctor Francis Kambol also deplores the non-compliance with hygiene measures and other family practices which expose residents to cholera. This concerns in particular the poor management of household waste which is very often thrown into gutters and which is then carried away by water onto public roads or tributaries.

Health authorities point out that medical care for all cases of cholera remains free in all treatment centers.

Timothy Prince ODIA

https://actualite.cd/2024/01/19/rdc-le-cholera-fait-rage-au-lualaba-plus-de-500-cas-dont-26-morts-enregistres-en-trois

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Haut-Katanga
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haut-Katanga_Province
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Cholera epidemic in Lubumbashi: 8 cases detected including 1 death

January 26, 2024

The city of Lubumbashi, capital of the Haut-Katanga province, has been facing the resurgence of the cholera epidemic for several days. According to the health authorities, already 8 (eight) cases have been recorded with unfortunately one death.

The head of the provincial health division in Haut-Katanga, Dr Jean Marie Kafwembe, called on the population, particularly those of the copper town, to observe hygiene measures to stop this epidemic.

» Diarrhea and vomiting are in the community. You have to be careful not to eat cold food, but rather hot food. The population must avoid eating food spread on the street on the ground. With rain, water carries all kinds of microbes that will infect food and cause various diseases. The population must also refrain from drinking water sold in plastic bags,” he said.

Furthermore, Doctor Jean Marie Kafwembe invites the population to be vigilant, to avoid any handling of the body that died as a result of cholera, but to contact the authorized health services to see how to manage the corpse.

The provincial health official ensures that several necessary measures are taken to fight this disease, including overall management of the disease, identification of cases, in terms of sanitation, household disinfection and purification. Of drinking water.

Senga Butela

https://drcactu.cd/2024/01/26/epidemie-de-cholera-a-lubumbashi-8-cas-detectes-dont-1-deces/

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Cholera epidemic and conjunctivitis affect Mura military training center

Published on Sat, 01/27/2024 - 00:37 | Modified on Sat, 01/27/2024 - 05:38

The Mura military training center in Likasi is affected by numerous cases of cholera with many deaths. Several structures are already mobilized to fight this disease and counter its spread.

The UNICEF/Lubumbashi office has already sent the inputs there. In the meantime, health authorities are asking the population to observe hygienic measures to avoid the spread of this disease.

The health zones of Lubumbashi, Katuba, Kenya Kamalondo and Kisanga have already reported cases with some deaths.

The commander of the twenty-second military region, General Eddy Kapend, spoke about it on Thursday, January 25 to a delegation from UNICEF, Lubumbashi office.

“ We have the cholera epidemic which broke out in our training center in Mura where we have already recorded around ten deaths. The origin of this disease is not yet defined ,” indicated General Eddy Kapend.

UNICEF, which was informed, quickly made available to these centers the inputs to deal with them, underlines Consolata Buhendwa, interim head of office of UNICEF Lubumbashi:

“We already have the truck with enough inputs. We already have prevention stocks but also support. We’re not going to stop there.”

The truck has already reached the Mura center the same day. And to ensure the safety of other learners who are in this center, General Eddy Kapend asks the health officer of the twenty-second military region to apply new instructions:

“My colonel, you will take all measures to instruct all the soldiers who are at the center as well as all their commands that during all these treatments, people who have touched the sick must not be able to walk in the town of Likasi or drive driving. You give them strict instructions in my name so that all the discipline linked to your profession to save people is respected.

To combat this disease, sanitation work is planned around this center and the chlorination of drinking water. In the meantime, an appeal is made to the population to observe hygiene measures. It should also be noted that conjunctivitis is also reported in this training center, according to the commander of the twenty-second military region.

https://www.radiookapi.net/2024/01/27/actualite/sante/lepidemie-de-cholera-et-la-conjonctivite-touchent-le-centre-de-formation

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DRC: the cholera epidemic officially declared in Haut-Katanga after recording 160 cases including 16 deaths in one month

Tuesday January 30, 2024 - 11:06

The provincial authorities of Haut-Katanga have officially declared a cholera epidemic in this mining region in the southeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to Joseph Sambi Bulanda, provincial minister of health, cases are reported almost throughout the province. Out of 160 cases, 16 deaths were reported during the month of January ending.

“The health zones of Kisanga, Lukafu, Kampemba, Vangu, Kilela Balanda, Likasi, Mumbunda, Lubumbashi, and Katuba are all affected by cholera. Overall, 160 cases of cholera were recorded and confirmed by the Lubumbashi public health laboratory. And among these cases, there were 16 deaths,” the provincial health minister said on Monday.

Mr. Bulanda explains that “this situation puts the entire territory of Haut-Katanga in a cholera epidemic”, which is why “I find myself obliged to declare a cholera epidemic throughout the entire province of Haut-Katanga,” he added.

The Kasungami district, located in the commune of Lubumbashi, is one of the high-risk areas for this epidemic, in the copper city. It is not only Haut-Katanga that is affected by this disease. In neighboring Lualaba, another province of the former Katanga, more than 500 cases including 26 deaths have been recorded over the past three months in several health zones. The epidemic started from the city of Bunkeya before spreading to that of Fungurume, Lualaba and elsewhere.

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José Mukendi, in Lubumbashi

https://actualite.cd/2024/01/30/rdc-lepidemie-de-cholera-declaree-officiellement-dans-le-haut-katanga-apres-avoir

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Likasi: at least 14 deaths out of 144 cases of cholera at Mura Military Center in one week

Published on Wed, 07/02/2024 - 05:02 | Modified on Wed, 07/02/2024 - 05:02

The cholera epidemic caused 14 deaths out of the 144 cases monitored in one week at the Mura Military Training Center in Likasi (Haut-Katanga).

The commander of the 22nd military region, General Eddy Kapend, said this on Tuesday, February 6, on the sidelines of his meeting with a delegation from the UNICEF Lubumbashi office.

This FARDC officer assured that this epidemic is being brought under control in this military training center with the support in particular of this agency of the UN system.

“72 hours ago, the number of patients stood at exactly 144 who were contained by care. We experienced 14 deaths, we saved a lot of sick people who returned to the ranks. This is an opportunity for me to thank UNICEF and the efforts they have made because it allowed us to save the lives of several men at home in the Mura training center”, underlined General General Eddy Kapend.

He regretted that the children fell ill while they came to the center to learn to serve the Republic, far from their families, fell due to illness.

For Eddy Kapend, this illness is due in particular to the unsanitary conditions in the Mura military camp, where there is a lot of concentration.

“It was very, very hard for us even as head of the military jurisdiction and for the parents who lost the children and therefore the contribution of Unicef is something very, very important for us, the opportunity for me to thank this United Nations system and to continue to count on their support in whatever conditions it is necessary,” he added.

https://www.radiookapi.net/2024/02/07/actualite/sante/likasi-au-moins-14-deces-sur-les-144-cas-de-cholera-au-centre-militaire

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February 11, 2024
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More than 3,000 cases of cholera reported since the start of the year

Furthermore, Dr. Laurent Akimali, expert at the National Program for the Elimination of Cholera and the Fight against Other Diarrheal Diseases in the DRC (PNECHOL-MD), said that the country has recorded 3,414 cases of cholera.

“ The DRC has reported since the start of the year 3,414 cases of cholera including 67 deaths with a case fatality rate of 1.96%. At least 2 people die every day from cholera in the DRC and 50 health zones have recorded at least one suspected case ,” he said.

These cases are due, among other things, to the displacement of populations in North Kivu, floods, poor access to drinking water, insufficient hygiene and sanitation services as well as stock shortages of inputs to fight against cholera.

He said that the most affected provinces are Kinshasa, North and South Kivu, Tanganyika, Haut-Lomami, Haut-Katanga and Lualaba.

Dr. Akimali mentioned that the major challenges to be overcome include the precarious hydro-sanitary conditions in the displaced sites in North Kivu, geographic inaccessibility and the security problem in certain health zones.

This meeting brought together all the technical and financial partners who support the Ministry of Health, including the WHO and the AFrica CDC.

ACP/CL

https://acp.cd/sante/rdc-plus-de-1-000-cas-de-monkeypox-notifies-depuis-le-debut-de-lannee/

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Haut-Katanga: 158 cases of cholera including 14 deaths recorded in Likasi

Published on Mon, 02/19/2024 - 12:26 | Modified on Mon, 02/19/2024 - 22:39

The cholera treatment center registered more than 150 patients in the space of a week in Likasi (Haut-Katanga). Their care is provided by the Provincial Health Division which makes the inputs available. The international NGO Médecins sans frontières/France also provided material support.

From February 12 to 15, this center recorded 158 patients. Nine of them lost their lives, report sources close to this center.

The city of Likasi, apart from the Mura military training center, reported 250 cases of cholera from last December, at the start of the epidemic, until February 16.

Patients are treated at the cholera treatment center, located at the Daco general referral hospital, in the commune of Kikula. And since then, 14 people have died from this disease, including 7 in the community.

Even if all the communes of Likasi are affected, most of the victims come from the commune of Kikula, more precisely from the Okito and Kampemba districts. The inhabitants of these neighborhoods consume water from a stream and unsanitized wells. Which would be the basis of the spread of this epidemic, informs the urban authority.

The latter recommends that all suspected cases be referred to the treatment center where treatment is free. To cope with this situation, the center is provided with inputs by the provincial health division.

On Friday February 16, the international NGO Médecins sans frontières/France also provided inputs to this medical structure. In the meantime, Likasi community radio has made airtime available to community relays to raise awareness among the population on the hygiene measures to be observed to prevent the spread of cholera.

https://www.radiookapi.net/2024/02/19/actualite/sante/haut-katanga-158-cas-de-cholera-dont-14-deces-recenses-likasi

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Lubumbashi: MSF support in the response to Cholera

February 21, 2024

Kinshasa, February 21, 2024 (ACP).- The health authorities of Haut-Katanga (south-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo) benefited from the support of the NGO Médecins sans frontières (MSF) as part of the response against cholera in Lubumbashi, capital of the said province, the ACP learned Wednesday from a medical source.

“ The teams are supporting the Cholera Treatment Center (CTC) at the Kenya General Hospital, where 60 beds have been installed and more than 360 patients treated since February 1, 2024. At the (CTC) in Kisangani, MSF has a donation of 36 beds ,” declared Justin Kabungo, medical manager of the MSF team in Lubumbashi.

“ Before our arrival, the teams at (CTC) Kenya were overwhelmed. With a capacity of 60 beds, this structure received up to 120 patients. Our teams have installed a support circuit to further enable patients to receive care. Currently, the situation is stable ,” explained the medical manager of the MSF/Lubumbashi team.

The teams also installed five oral rehydration points in the health zones of Kenya and Kampemba. They have set up 20 water chlorination sites in the two areas and are raising community awareness of the measures to follow to avoid contamination, he added.

Since mid-January 2024, an outbreak of cholera has been raging in Lubumbashi in the Haut-Katanga province. More than 1,470 suspected cases and 114 deaths were recorded as of February 18. MSF is working with health authorities to respond to this outbreak.

Médecins Sans Frontières teams provide assistance to populations in distress, to victims of natural or human disasters, or situations of belligerence, without any discrimination. ACP/KHM/KKP

https://acp.cd/sante/lubumbashi-appui-de-msf-dans-la-riposte-contre-le-cholera/

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The cholera epidemic “is being controlled” in Haut-Katanga, according to the Minister of Health

Published on Sat, 02/03/2024 - 19:52 | Modified on Sat, 02/03/2024 - 19:53

The cholera epidemic is on the verge of being overcome in the province of Haut-Katanga, said Friday March 1, the provincial Minister of Health, Joseph Sambi Bulanda. The latter was received by the provisional office of the provincial assembly of Haut-Katanga which wanted to have details on this epidemic which has already caused around a hundred deaths in the province.

“The provincial government took action and provided immediate responses. We have donated inputs and others are in stock to respond to any new outbreaks. And we paid the mission fees and incentive bonuses to the providers of the cholera treatment centers. This allowed us to quickly control the cholera epidemic ,” explained Joseph Sambi Bulanda.

Haut-Katanga recorded a cumulative 1,697 cases with 117 deaths.

“At the Mura treatment center there are 0 cases today. In Likasi we have 4 cases. In Kasumbalesa 13 cases. At the Kenya treatment center 23 cases and in Kisanga 13 cases, to say that the epidemic is being completely controlled and that the worst is no longer to be expected,” added Joseph Sambi Bulanda.

https://www.radiookapi.net/2024/03/02/actualite/sante/lepidemie-de-cholera-est-en-voie-detre-controlee-dans-la-haut-katanga

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Alarming increase in cholera cases around Goma: MSF calls for an urgent humanitarian response

Sunday April 7, 2024 - 10:07

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reports an alarming increase in cases of cholera in its treatment centers, highlighting a glaring inadequacy between current humanitarian responses and the growing needs for water, hygiene and sanitation in North Kivu. The situation is particularly worrying in the camps for displaced people around Goma, exacerbated by recent conflicts which have pushed thousands of people into wandering, forcing them to find refuge in deplorable sanitary conditions.

According to Jimmy Matumona, the organization's deputy head of mission, inadequate sanitation facilities, including a distinct lack of latrines and showers, as well as persistent problems accessing clean water, have led to an increase in cases of cholera. In response to this emergency, MSF intensified its efforts, establishing cholera treatment units and undertaking targeted actions to combat the epidemic, particularly in the health areas of Buhimba and Kanyarutshinia where more than 525 patients were treated during of the last five weeks.

Faced with the rapid spread of the disease, aggravated by the consumption of untreated water and precarious hygienic conditions, MSF is calling for a massive mobilization of humanitarian actors and authorities to respond effectively to the crisis. The organization highlights the urgent need to build adequate sanitation infrastructure, such as latrines and showers, and ensure a regular supply of drinking water.

MSF has already made significant progress, with the construction of more than a thousand latrines, nearly 500 showers, and the installation of pumping and water treatment stations near the lakes, as well as a station for treatment of fecal waste. These measures aim to provide permanent access to drinking water and improve hygiene conditions for vulnerable populations living in extremely difficult conditions.

However, despite these efforts, MSF notes a disengagement of certain humanitarian actors, particularly in the northern region of Goma, and insists on the need for a coordinated and multisectoral response to avoid a health disaster. The needs assessment continues, and MSF remains fully committed to adapting and strengthening its operational response in affected territories, including Masisi, Rutshuru, and South Kivu, where medical-humanitarian needs remain significant.

https://actualite.cd/2024/04/07/hausse-alarmante-des-cas-de-cholera-autour-de-goma-msf-appelle-une-reponse-humanitaire