Comoros - Cholera outbreak 2024

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Cholera epidemic in the Comoros: nearly 45% of the population vaccinated

LINFO.RE – created on 07/02/2024 at 11:40 a.m. – updated on 07/02/2024 at 11:40 a.m. - The editorial staff

The WHO-backed cholera vaccination campaign launched in the Comoros is in full swing. The initiative follows an alarming rise in cases and deaths in the region.


"We want to end this epidemic once and for all"

Since the official declaration of the cholera epidemic in the Comoros , the archipelago has recorded 9,666 cases, according to the latest health bulletin relayed by Le Journal de Mayotte . Anjouan is the most affected with 8,491 cases, followed by Grande Comore (662 cases) and Mohéli (553 cases). The toll is 143 deaths.

The Comoros want to end this epidemic. To achieve this, a mass vaccination campaign has been launched in the territory, mobilizing medical teams in all regions. "We want to end this epidemic once and for all, all means are mobilized to ensure the success of the campaign ," said Loub Yakout Zaidou, the Minister of Health.

"The vaccine remains the only alternative to eradicate cholera" in the Comoros
With the support of WHO and GAVI, 400,000 doses of vaccine are available to achieve herd immunity against cholera in the Comoros . Ms. Hissane Abdou Bacar from the WHO office in Moroni believes that these doses are enough to protect the entire population. Dr. Sainda Mohamed stressed the importance of citizen participation in this campaign to stem the epidemic.

Vaccination efforts are palpable in Anjouan, where 200,000 people out of 379,000 have already received the vaccine. This is about 52% of the population, according to regional coordinator Dr. Ansouffoudine Mohamed. In Mohéli, the 57,000 doses planned will allow the entire population to be vaccinated, improving the current rate of 40%. In contrast, the vaccination rate remains low in Grande Comore, where only 30% of the population has been vaccinated despite intensive awareness campaigns. Dr. Abdoul-Anziz Hassanaly, regional coordinator, stressed that the vaccine remains the only solution to eradicate cholera throughout the territory.

https://www.linfo.re/ocean-indien/les-comores/epidemie-de-cholera-aux-comores-pres-de-45-de-la-population-vaccinee

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Ministry of Health, Union of the Comoros
3h
CHOLERA EPIDEMIC
-------------------------------------
SITUATION AS OF JULY 10, 2024.
Press Officer: FSTOUMANI

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0XFCFQ3cV9X9egw99Z7sum6ZvAREy6UnoiKT1AWzmchrARB7GBz8ZjUSwyoWqGoffl&id=100064152692176

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Cholera epidemic I No cases reported since July 10 in the country

Society |09/08/2024-

Health authorities are pleased that 98% of hospitalized patients have recovered, highlighting the effectiveness of vaccination.

After several months of working to combat the ongoing cholera epidemic in the country since the beginning of the year, the Ministry of Health took stock of the epidemiological situation on Wednesday, August 7 in Ndzuani. In a meeting held in Patsy, the regional director of Health in Ndzuani, Dr. Anssoufoudine Mohamed, presented the general situation of the epidemic to the Head of State, Azali Assoumani.

First of all, welcoming the fact that no positive cases of cholera have been recorded since July 10 in Ngazidja and Mwali, and since July 27 in Ndzuani, Dr. Anssoufoudine Mohamed recalled that this is not the first time that the country has faced this epidemic. According to him, over the last five decades, the Comoros have been confronted with 4 episodes of cholera. First from January to May 1975, the episode from 1998 to 1999, that from 2002 to 2007 and that of 2024.

The regional director of health in Ndzuani, the island most affected by the disease, reported a recovery rate of 98% among hospitalized patients, highlighting the effectiveness of vaccination. The head of state, Azali Assoumani, thanked the health services for their mobilization and commitment to this fight, which made it possible to obtain these results. He also urged citizens to remain vigilant and learn from this episode to avoid a resurgence of cases. The Minister of Health, Dr. Nassuha Oussene Salim, made a special mention of all the medical teams mobilized since February 2, 2024 to stem cholera.

2024, the deadliest episode

As a reminder, after reporting its first case of cholera in mid-March, Ndzuani has continued to record cases since then. It alone deplores 126 deaths compared to 15 in Ngazidja and 8 in Mwali out of a total of 149 deaths. It also reports 8,999 cumulative cases out of a national total of 10,342 people affected. For comparison, in the 2007 episode, after eleven months of cholera without significant means of response, the Comoros had just recorded 29 victims. Thus, in order to effectively combat the said endemic epidemic, the health authorities launched an anti-cholera vaccination campaign on June 12, at the end of which 58% of the population was vaccinated.

https://alwatwan.net/societe/epid%C3%A9mie-de-chol%C3%A9ra-i-aucun-cas-notifi%C3%A9-depuis-le-10-juillet-dans-le-pays.html

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CHOLERA EPIDEMIC - Reopening of borders with the Comoros

Miangaly Ralitera
Published on August 29, 2024

The Malagasy government announces the resumption of maritime traffic between Madagascar and the Comoros. The cholera epidemic is under control there.

The connection between Madagascar and Comoros, where cholera raged in the first half of this year, will resume. The Council of Ministers of August 28 approved the verbal communication of the resumption of maritime transport between these two countries. "The Ministry of Public Health and Social Protection of the Comoros declared that four hundred and eighty thousand of its eight hundred and thirty thousand inhabitants have been vaccinated against cholera. It highlighted a sharp slowdown in the cholera epidemic, and that since July 29, there have been no new cases. This non-detection of new cases in two weeks affirms that the chain of transmission of the disease is cut. This means that we can resume the connection with this country," we can read in the minutes of the Council of Ministers of August 28, which was held at the State Palace in Iavoloha.

The gates of Madagascar, including the port of Mahajanga in particular, remain closed to people coming from this archipelago, for the time being. "We are waiting for a decree that sets out the terms of application of this new system, in particular the health measures, before resuming," says a source.

Maintained

The Council of Ministers has indeed indicated that preventive measures remain in force. Thus, health measures are also maintained for passengers coming from countries where this disease is circulating, such as prophylactic chemo treatments on arrival, disinfection of luggage, and hand washing.

The government has suspended maritime transport between Comoros and Mahajanga, including passenger traffic, since February. Goods traffic continued. Large ships carrying gas or fuel were allowed to dock, but their crews were required to remain on board. Have these measures borne fruit? Cholera is not yet circulating in Madagascar. In any case, the Ministry of Public Health has not reported any cases so far.

Miangaly Ralitera

https://www.lexpress.mg/2024/08/epidemie-de-cholera-reouverture-des.html

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Cholera epidemic in the Comoros: ten hospitalizations and an emergency vaccination campaign

by D. Hamza | Sep 24, 2024 | International , Health , Society

Ten people with cholera were hospitalized in the North of Grande Comore at the end of last week. These patients, divided between the Samba hospital (3 patients) and the Mitsamiouli hospital center (7 patients), are receiving intensive care in order to contain the spread of the disease. This new wave of infections worries the health authorities who fear a resurgence of the epidemic in the region.

Emergency vaccination campaign

In response to this critical situation reported by Réunion 1ère , a vaccination campaign was launched on Saturday, September 21, 2024 in the most affected localities . The Comoros health services have deployed their teams in the towns and villages of the North of Grande Comore, particularly near the homes of hospitalized people .

“ We have started a vaccination campaign and undertaken several actions, such as meetings with the Ndzaouze steering committee and local associations ,” a representative of the Ministry of Health told La Gazette des Comores . At the same time, efforts are being made to improve communication and coordination of field actions.

Long-term prevention: construction of latrines

To strengthen prevention measures, UNICEF is funding the construction of latrines in at-risk areas . Work began this week, but delays in reporting from the field are making it difficult to manage the situation. The slow response to new cases has been criticized , and it emerged that several hospitalizations and one death related to cholera had been reported in the previous week.

A still difficult fight

The resurgence of cholera in Grande Comore highlights the urgent need to improve health infrastructure and strengthen preventive measures. Although the authorities are responding quickly with vaccination campaigns and the construction of latrines, the situation remains worrying, and concerted long-term actions are needed to definitively eradicate this scourge .

https://gazeti.fr/epidemie-de-cholera-aux-comores-dix-hospitalisations-et-une-campagne-de-vaccination-durgence/

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A hundred cases of cholera detected in the Comoros

By The editorial staff
October 15, 2024

In its latest bulletin, Public Health France indicates that the cholera epidemic "is over in Mayotte", the last case detected in the territory dates back to July 12. But health professionals nevertheless urge caution because the circulation of the bacteria has resumed on the island of Grande-Comore where more than a hundred cases have been detected as well as deaths. No cases of cholera have currently been documented on the islands of Mohéli and Anjouan. "This resurgence increases the risk of reintroduction of the disease into the territory and encourages the continuation of preventive measures in Mayotte or when traveling to the Republic of the Comoros", specifies Public Health France.

https://www.mayottehebdo.com/actualite/breves/une-centaine-de-cas-de-cholera-detectes-aux-comores/

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EPIDEMIC – Madagascar closes its maritime borders with the Comoros again

2424.mg News & Reports by 2424.mg News & Reports October 17, 2024 in News , Social

Antananarivo, October 17, 7:30 a.m. – Maritime traffic with the Comoros is suspended again. The decision was taken in the Council of Ministers on Wednesday. The report of this weekly meeting of the Executive announces the temporary closure of the maritime link with this archipelago in the face of the “resurgence of the epidemic”. “The cholera epidemic is still current in East Africa and in the countries of the Horn of Africa. It is beginning to resurface in the Comoros,” the press release emphasizes.

The Council of Ministers' report, however, specifies that ships carrying strategic goods are authorized. But the disembarkation of personnel from these cargo ships is prohibited.

https://2424.mg/epidemie-madagascar-ferme-a-nouveau-ses-frontieres-maritimes-avec-les-comores/

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EPIDEMIC – Two Comorian ships arriving in Mahajanga forced to turn back

2424.mg News & Reports by 2424.mg News & Reports October 18, 2024in Featured , News , Regions

Antananarivo, October 18, 1:45 p.m. – The authorities of the Boeny region took firm measures this Friday against ships coming from the Comoros. Three boats docked Thursday in Mahajanga, including a Malagasy flag with 17 people on board, and two Comorian flags carrying more than 200 passengers.

The Malagasy authorities, under the aegis of the governor of the Boeny region, Mokhtar Salim Andriantomanga, have ordered the immediate quarantine of Malagasy nationals present on the local ship. As for the Comorian boats, they have been ordered to turn back. However, stages of resupplying water, food and fuel are underway before their return, under the supervision of Comorian officials.

https://2424.mg/epidemie-deux-navires-comoriens-arrivees-a-mahajanga-contraints-de-rebrousser-chemin/

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Comoros criticizes suspension of maritime links decided by Madagascar

October 21, 2024

Moroni, Oct 21, 2024 (AFP) – The Comoros government said Monday it “did not know on what basis” Madagascar had suspended maritime transport with the neighboring archipelago in the Indian Ocean, denouncing an “alleged cholera epidemic.”

"The World Health Organization has not yet issued any alert to this effect. We do not know on what basis Madagascar took this decision," declared Comorian Foreign Minister Mbae Mohamed on Monday during a press briefing in Moroni, the capital.

Antananarivo has decided to suspend maritime transport between the two countries, considering that the cholera epidemic that has affected East Africa and the Horn of Africa is "on the rise again in the Comoros" according to the minutes of the Council of Ministers on Wednesday.

"Maritime transport from the Comoros will be suspended until the epidemic is brought under control," it said.

In September, 91 cases were recorded in the Comoros by the World Health Organization (WHO) among the more than 10,000 counted since the start of the epidemic in February.

The Comorian government, in a press release issued on Monday, "finally calls on the authorities of Madagascar to reconsider their position and give dialogue a chance."

"It's not going to stop there. We will most likely recall our ambassador from Madagascar," a diplomat told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Comoros-Malagasy relations have been eroded since the discovery in December 2021 of gold bullion trafficking between the two countries, which led to the suspension of flights between the two countries since July 2022.

"The Malagasy authorities want them returned to them. For the moment the Union of the Comoros is turning a deaf ear," explains a Comorian diplomat.

The Malagasy community is by far the largest of all the foreign communities present in the archipelago, with around 20,000 nationals residing in the Comoros, according to a source within the Ministry of the Interior.

Following the closure of the borders, a Comorian ship, the Acadie, carrying 283 passengers, was refused docking in the Malagasy town of Majunga and returned to its home port on Sunday.

"I wanted to go to Madagascar for a medical check-up, I had already made an appointment with my doctor, I am distraught," Anfane Athoumani, a 39-year-old employee of the Anjouan governorate, told AFP.

https://marine-oceans.com/actualites/les-comores-critiquent-la-suspension-des-liaisons-maritimes-decidee-par-madagascar/

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Comoros: a new vaccination campaign against cholera

Health authorities are facing a persistence of the epidemic, more specifically in two regions in the north of Grande Comores, and want to achieve herd immunity across the entire archipelago. The country has seen a resurgence of cases and is concerned about the spread of the epidemic to other regions of the islands. The stated objective is to achieve "a coverage rate of 80%" by November 5.

Kemba
October 30, 2024

The Comoros have started a new vaccination campaign against cholera since Tuesday, October 29 in Ngazidja (Grande Comores) to contain the epidemic after the increase in the number of cases since September 14. " It is a six-day campaign and will end on November 5 ," stressed the Secretary General of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Ben Imane.

To date, the country has noted an overall coverage rate of nearly 50%, but in Grande Comoros, citizens have not rushed to the occasion of the major campaign launched 5 months ago to contain the disease. The epidemic had raged in the first half of 2024 with a total of "111 deaths" last May, including around 90 deaths recorded on the island of Ndzuani (Anjouan) alone.

The new campaign targets the two affected regions of Grande Comores but also a good part of the areas where the vaccination rate is considered low. On the other hand, in Moheli and Anjouan, vaccination has been relatively successful since nearly 65% of the population has already been vaccinated. "The idea is to encourage people to get vaccinated, especially in Ngazidja, to achieve a national coverage rate of 80% ," added Dr. Ben Iman, who announced " the intensification of hygiene measures " in vulnerable areas where the risks of the epidemic spreading remain high.

A disease endemic to the Comoros

Agents have been deployed in the regions, equipped with vaccination kits. The Comorian health authorities are targeting schools and other places with high traffic in particular to reach as many citizens as possible. An awareness campaign had started in the media well before the start of the vaccination operations supervised by many community health workers and with the technical support of the World Health Organization (WHO) office.

Cholera has been an endemic disease in the Comoros for over 30 years. The country has experienced many tragic episodes, especially in 1998 and 2003, with several hundred deaths. Many doctors interviewed believe that the epidemic will never be contained until the country takes sustainable measures to combat public insalubrity by creating sufficient conditions for the supply of drinking water and access to hydraulic infrastructure throughout the country.

ASKemba, Moroni

https://lejournaldemayotte.yt/2024/10/30/comores-une-nouvelle-campagne-de-vaccination-contre-le-cholera/

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