DRC - Cholera outbreaks 2021 - 2023

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WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Week 52: 20 – 26 December 2021
Data as reported by: 17:00; 26 December 2021
...
Cholera Democratic Republic of the Congo

8 279 Cases
153 Death
1.8% CFR

EVENT DESCRIPTION

Several suspected cases of cholera continue to be reported in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since the beginning of this year
up to week 47 (ending 28 November) a cumulative number of 8 279
cases and 153 deaths (case fatality ratio (CFR) = 1.8%) have been
reported in 80 health zones across 16 provinces of the country. The
weekly average number of suspected cases reported is 176 with a
minimum of 25 cases and a maximum of 544 cases. The country
has recorded an incidence (per 100,000 populations) of 23, while at
provincial level, Tanganyika (175), Haut-Lomami (37), Sud-Kivu (28)
and Haut-Katanga (24) have the highest incidences.

During week 47 (ending 28 November 2021), 541 suspected cases
and 5 deaths (CFR = 0.9%) were reported in 16 health zones from 5
provinces. Almost all of the cases, 521 (96.3%), were reported in the
provinces of Haut-Lomami, Tanganyika, and South Kivu. In the same
week, South Kivu province had the highest number of cases reported
with 270 suspected cholera cases, which is an increase of almost
20% from week 46 (ending 21 November).

Most cases in South Kivu province were reported from Fizi (222)
and Uvira (41) health zones, although five health zones reported
cases, during this week 47. In addition, from 4 to 7 December 2021,
Kimbi Lulenge health zone reported 44 cases and 10 deaths, mainly
reported from Misisi (mining squares) and Lulimba health areas.
Only Lulimba health area has a functional cholera treatment center;
as a result, this is limiting access to care for cholera patients coming
from Misisi which is located 12 km from Lulimba.

For Tanganyika province, 145 cases and 1 death (CFR = 0.7%) have
been reported during the week 47 in 5 health zones. The majority of
cases 125 (86.2%) were reported from Moba, Kalemie and Nyemba
health zones. There has been a decrease in cases reported in
Kansimba, Kalemie and Nyemba health zones for three consecutive
weeks and a slight decrease in cases has also been noted for Moba
health zone in week 47.

A total 106 suspected cases and 4 deaths (CFR = 3.8%) were
reported from Haut-Lomami province in week 47. The majority of
cases are reported from Mulongo (68 cases), Malemba-Nkulu (23)
and Kinkondja (14) health zones. A 15.9% decrease in cases is seen
between week 47 and week 46 (ending 21 November) with 126 cases
reported in this province.

PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

Coordination meetings with Ministry of health partners at the
national and local levels are ongoing and the preparation of
a joint field mission to the affected provinces of Tanganyika,
North Kivu, and South Kivu with aim of cholera surveillance
A support mission to the border health zones of Haut-Lomami
province has been conducted

The WHO and other partners are currently supporting
strengthening of surveillance around cases detected in the
affected

Case management with support from ministry of health partners
is ongoing in the affected provinces as well as the provision of
cholera kits to the affected health districts etc

Safe and dignified burials, community sensitization activities,
households’ disinfection around cases and water chlorination
and distribution of purification tablets continue

The preparation for the first round of the preventive oral
vaccination campaign against cholera in 106 health areas of
13 health zones of South Kivu, Tanganyika, and Haut-Lomami
regions is ongoing.

SITUATION INTERPRETATION

The current ascending cholera epidemic curve shows a deterioration
of the situation. There is a resurgence of cases in areas that had
remained silent for several weeks, particularly the Kasai province.
Access to quality water and healthy sanitation facilities in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo is still poor. Case fatality ratio
remains high compared to WHO standards (less than 1%), which
could reflect either a weakness in case management or late health
care seeking for cholera patients.

PROPOSED ACTION

Risk communication activities on cholera should be intensified
in the affected and at-risk areas to prevent new cases and
promote rapid health care seeking behavior for patients in order
to reduce as much as possible the case fatality ratio, which is
still high.

Vaccination campaign announced few weeks ago should be now
implemented to limit the outbreak spread. It is also important
to identify all sources of contamination as quickly as possible
and eliminate them

For the longer term, required efforts should be deployed to
implement the regional framework for the implementation of the
global strategy for cholera prevention and control, 2018–2030.

...
OEW52-2026122021.pdf (‎2.288Mb)‎

 

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Tanganyika: resurgence of the cholera epidemic in the locality of Kabimba

Anto Mulanga February 21, 2022

Resurgence at the beginning of the week of the cholera epidemic in the locality of Kabimba. The diarrheal disease treatment center received 26 cases following this epidemic and one death already recorded.

Medical sources indicate that this resurgence is due to the consumption of unclean water and the lack of latrines. The territorial authorities have called on the population of the region to avoid self-medication and the population must go to the nearest health center as soon as symptoms appear.

A source from civil society in the area confirms that humanitarian organizations are hard at work providing humanitarian responses to this cholera epidemic.


https://magazinelaguardia.info/2022...demie-de-cholera-dans-la-localite-de-kabimba/

 

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South Kivu: Twenty cases of cholera including 2 deaths recorded in one week in Katana

A total of 22 cases of cholera have been recorded in Katana health zone in Kabare territory in South Kivu in the space of a week.

Among these cases, 2 deaths are to be deplored, including an adult and a child, informs doctor Yolande Nshombo Ntabugi, chief doctor of Katana zone, in an interview granted to 7SUR7.CD this Wednesday, May 04.

He specifies that several cases of this epidemic come from the health area of ​​Mugeri and Iko.

“At the end of epidemiological week 17, i.e. Sunday May 1, 2022, we had 16 cases including 2 deaths. From Sunday to date, we have registered 6 other cases. Many cases come from the health area of ​​Mugeri and Iko. We believe that there is a water source in Mugeri precisely in the village of Burhalange which is contaminated by the toilets of neighboring households ,” she explained.

The Katana zone chief doctor calls on the entire population of the health zone to observe hygiene measures, in particular washing hands, cleaning food and also treating water.

It should be recalled that the territory of Kabare has been facing several epidemics since the beginning of this year. It is in particular Washa and Eleki, two diseases with itching especially on the genitals, which were reported to Luhihi.

Déogratias Cubaka, in Bukavu

https://www.7sur7.cd/2022/05/04/sud...ont-2-deces-enregistres-en-une-semaine-katana

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Mai. 04, 2022 at 8:15

Kabare: Surge in cholera cases in Kabare health zone

Several cases of cholera are reported in the Katana health zone in Kabare territory. To date, several deaths have already been recorded, reports zone chief doctor Yolande Nshombo.

She points out that other cases are being treated at the Fomulac Katana General Reference Hospital. The inhabitants of the area who show signs of vomiting and diarrhea are invited to go to different medical structures in the area for treatment.

The area chief doctor Yolande Nshombo finally invites the population to strictly respect the rules of hygiene in order to limit the spread of this disease.

https://www.radiomaendeleo.info/202...s-de-cholera-dans-la-zone-de-sante-de-kabare/

 

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Goma: about 140 suspected cases of cholera listed in Munzenze prison

Published on Thu, 02/06/2022 - 15:09 | Edited on Thu, 02/06/2022 - 15:11

Two detainees died out of approximately 140 suspected cases of cholera, recorded since last February, in the central prison of Munzenze, in Goma (North Kivu).

The NGO Doctors Without Borders (MSF), which brings several activities to this prison, is nevertheless delighted with the downward trend of this epidemic.

“ Per week, we could register more than 15 cases of cholera. But, with our presence, we swim between 5 and 10 cases per week. So there is a small decrease ,” explained Jean-Paul Kikwayabo, focal point for medical activities within MSF in Goma.

The MSF attributes the persistence of this disease [cholera] to the lack of hygiene and the food shortage in this prison.

“ The big problem there is, we have comorbidity, that is to say apart from cholera, the prisoners are malnourished. Malnutrition is on the rise. There is also tuberculosis. All of this makes care a little more complicated, ” continues Jean-Paul Kikwayabo.

More than 2,800 detainees were vaccinated against cholera last May to boost their immunity against cholera.

The MSF also says it will continue to support health personnel through the supply of drugs and medical equipment for the care of the sick.

“ At our level, we decided to make an intervention. First, medical care. That is, we supplied the center with inputs. And then we tried to limit the chain of transmission ,” continued Jean-Paul Kikwayabo.

The central prison of Munzenze currently has more than 3,000 residents while it has a capacity of 150 people.

https://www.radiookapi.net/2022/06/...ects-de-cholera-repertories-dans-la-prison-de

 

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DRC: more than 12,000 cases of cholera recorded in 2021

Published on Mon, 27/06/2022 - 18:52 | Modified on Mon, 27/06/2022 - 18:52

Twelve thousand ninety-three cases including two hundred and nine deaths from Cholera were recorded in 2021 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), i.e. a lethality of 1.7%. This was indicated by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Robert Bodi Ilonga, this Monday, June 27 in Kinshasa, at the opening of the regional capacity building workshop for cholera preparedness.

In addition to the DRC, the host country, Benin, Burundi, Congo-Brazzaville and the CAR are taking part in the work which will run until July 1, 2022.

According to him, the epidemiological situation in 2021 was marked by a strong cholera epidemic in Kalemie, in the province of Tanganyika.

For his part, the Head of the WHO Office in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Dr. Amédée Prosper Djiguimdé revealed that approximately 129,000 cases of cholera including 4,005 deaths were recorded in 2021 in 12 countries in the African region, including including the DRC.

He believes that "cholera is unfortunately linked to poor hygiene and sanitation conditions."
"The lack of drinking water, conflicts and humanitarian crises that cause massive population displacements, while limiting the surveillance and response to epidemics, these are some of the main drivers of the persistence of cholera in the African region", explained Dr Robert Bodi.

For example, in 2017, he said, “the Global Cholera Control Task Force published the new global cholera control strategy, a strategy that recommends priority actions in with a view to achieving the objectives set and enabling the number of deaths due to cholera to be reduced by 90% and to eliminate the transmission of the disease in at least twenty countries by 2030”.

https://www.radiookapi.net/2022/06/...-de-12-000-cas-de-cholera-enregistres-en-2021

 

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DRC - Walikale: 8 deaths from diarrhea in Ntoto village in three weeks

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Kivu


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Walikale: 8 deaths from diarrhea in Ntoto village in three weeks

Published on Thu, 04/08/2022 - 11:08 | Edited on Thu, 04/08/2022 - 11:08


Eight people have died over the past three weeks from diarrhea in Ntoto village, Walikale territory (North Kivu).

The elected national deputy of this territory, Prince Kihangi made this alert, Wednesday August 3, in a press release.

He deplored the shortage of drugs observed in health facilities in this corner of North Kivu.

Fearing the worst given the isolation of the environment, Prince Kihangi invited the governor of North Kivu as well as the health authorities to inquire urgently about this situation.

“And many other cases are being followed up in local health facilities, which lack essential drugs to stop this disease. This is why we are launching this appeal to the military governor of North Kivu to take all the necessary measures to arrest him,” he recommended.

This elected official also invited the head of the Provincial Health Division of North Kivu to deploy a team on the ground to monitor cases and provide them with first aid.

He asked local communities to respect health requirements in order to avoid possible spread:

"At the same time, we are asking members of the local community to please respect all health requirements to avoid any spread in the region

https://www.radiookapi.net/2022/08/...a-diarrhee-au-village-ntoto-en-trois-semaines

 

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North Kivu: 11 deaths from cholera recorded in Ntoto in 2 weeks

Posted on Mon, 08/08/2022 - 15:17 | Modified on Mon, 08/08/2022 - 17:08

Eleven cases of death due to cholera have been recorded in two weeks in the village of Ntoto, in the territory of Walikale (North Kivu), the NGO FONAHD announced last weekend.

Faced with this upsurge, the NGO FONAHD launched an appeal for the mobilization of funds at local and national level for emergency aid in this territory and its neighbours.

In its press release, this structure indicated that several other sick people are under observation in health centers, but they do not have access to care.

One of the members of the NGO FONAHD, Vicar Batundi, assured that some funds are available for the purchase of drugs:

“We are going to buy serums as a priority, so lactate syringes to help nurses have enough liquids to administer to patients, because when there is diarrhea it is more dehydration that accelerates death. Therefore, we must provide a large quantity of lactate syringes but also catheters and other antidiarrheal drugs. »

This organization also called on the government to find a quick solution.

A few days ago, a provincial deputy, elected from Walikale, invited the provincial health authorities to take measures to limit the spread of cholera.

https://www.radiookapi.net/2022/08/...s-dus-au-cholera-recenses-ntoto-en-2-semaines

 

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Cholera: 28 cases and 9 deaths reported in 7 months in Kasaï-Oriental

Published on Fri, 19/08/2022 - 09:30 | Modified on Fri, 08/19/2022 - 09:30

...
According to Dr. Bonheur Tshiteku, this disease affects adults more:

“Of these 28 cases, 11 come from the Mukumbi health zone which alone totals 4 deaths and 8 cases from the Bonzola health zone which also notes 4 deaths. While cases from Muya health zone with zero deaths and 4 cases from Lukelenge health zone with 1 death. And, the health zones of Dibindi, Diulu and Tshishimbi notified 1 case respectively”.

...
https://www.radiookapi.net/2022/08/...-9-morts-notifies-en-7-mois-au-kasai-oriental

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Lusambo: nearly 100 cases of cholera recorded in 8 months

Published on Sat, 20/08/2022 - 18:25 | Modified on Sat, 20/08/2022 - 18:25

A total of ninety-four cases of cholera, including fifteen deaths, have been reported in Lusambo health zone in Sankuru province since the beginning of the year. This resurgence of the disease is linked to the consumption by the population of raw water from the Sankuru River, said the chief medical officer of the provincial health division on Saturday August 20.

“From the first week to the 32nd week, the Lusambo health zone notified 94 suspected cases of cholera, including 15 deaths with a lethality of 16%. For the case of cholera, there is the Lubilanji river which comes from the other province of Kasaï-Oriental and which empties at the level of the Sankuru river. And it is the only river used by the population of the health zone of Mpanya Mutombo, Lusambo and Bena Dibele”, explained the chief medical officer of the provincial health division, Aimé Alengo.

...

https://www.radiookapi.net/2022/08/...s-de-100-cas-de-cholera-enregistres-en-8-mois

 

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DRC-Cholera: 86 new cases and 11 deaths notified in Sankuru

Tuesday, August 30, 2022 - 2:53 p.m.

The province of Sankuru faces several epidemics including Cholera. In the week of August 15 to 21 (epidemiological week 33), 86 cases and 11 deaths from this epidemic were notified.

“We recorded 86 cases of Cholera and 11 deaths, representing a lethality of 7.8%. The province had officially declared the Cholera epidemic in the Lusambu health zone. This health zone alone has already reported 244 cholera cases and 24 deaths, representing a case fatality rate of 9.8% from week 32 to week 34. During week 32, Lusambu health zone reported 61 cases and 13 deaths. The health zone of Panya Mutombo is also already affected, with 10 cases, including 6 women and 4 men,” Dr. Aimé Alengo, head of the provincial health division in Sankuru, told ACTUALITE.CD.

According to him, several communication activities are being carried out to enable the population to adopt responsible behavior in the face of this epidemic.

“For communication interventions, we work with UNICEF. We have strengthened communication, mobilized the media, sensitizers, opinion leaders, churches; for people to change their behavior: wash their hands, avoid open defecation, use Aquatabs in drinking water,” added Dr. Alengo.

The province of Sankuru also has other pathologies such as measles, monkeypox, acute respiratory infections for meningitis.

Therese Ntumba

https://actualite.cd/2022/08/30/rdc-...ies-au-sankuru

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Tanganyika: 714 cases of cholera including 14 deaths recorded in 8 months in Moba

Posted on Tue, 30/08/2022 - 19:07 | Modified on Tue, 30/08/2022 - 19:07

A total of 714 cholera cases, including 14 deaths, have been recorded in Moba health zone, Tanganyika province since the beginning of this year. During the past week, 11 cases have been recorded. Cholera is not abating and treatment is difficult, said the head doctor of the health zone on Tuesday, August 30.

“We see that cholera continues to break the record especially in the health zones of Kapote and Livua. Every week, cases of cholera are reported. Since we started (the year 2022), it's 714 cases with 14 deaths. For this week, we have 11 cases of cholera”, detailed Dr. Barwine Moma, the chief medical officer of the health zone.

According to the same source, the management is still precarious, since the inputs are in insufficient quantity. It is the health zone or the central office that organizes itself to supply all the sites where there are cases of cholera.

Barwine Moma specifies that the partners provide partial support:

“We only have the Red Cross, which (intervenes) more in the preventive framework. But in the curative framework, we really don't have any partners. We are asking for support, since people are starting to die like this without assistance. We are asking people of good will and some NGOs to help us. »

https://www.radiookapi.net/2022/08/3...en-8-mois-moba

 

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DRC: Unicef ​​and its partners respond to the outbreak of Cholera in Sankuru

Monday, September 5, 2022 - 11:44 am

More than 30,000 people including 17,000 children are threatened by an outbreak of Cholera which is raging in the province of Sankuru. A United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) multisectoral team and vital equipment are deployed in the province to support the Ministry of Health in controlling and stopping this outbreak.

UNICEF says it is concerned about an alarming case fatality rate of nearly 10%. Of the 259 suspected cases reported as of August 29, 2022, 24 have lost their lives, including 8 children.

“The spread of this cholera outbreak is of great concern to us because there are many communication channels in the region. Children are often the first victims of cholera, which can spread very quickly if our actions are not stepped up as soon as possible,” said Grant Leaity, UNICEF Representative in the DRC.

...

Therese Ntumba

https://actualite.cd/index.php/2022...es-repondent-la-flambee-de-cholera-au-sankuru

 

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South Kivu: resurgence of the cholera epidemic in the Mwenga health zone, five dead

Wednesday, September 28, 2022 - 8:21 a.m.

The health zone of Mwenga, in the territory of the same name (South Kivu) has been facing a new cholera epidemic since June, health authorities announced this week. At least five deaths have been recorded and around fifty cases. The health areas affected are Sugululu, Tusagili and Santé Espoir which have seen a good number of cases for the past two weeks.

“There are 5 deaths since the onset of the disease which started in June. We are at 51 cases and 5 deaths but for the past week, we have recorded more than 18 cases with two deaths. It is the health zones of Tusagili, Sugululu, and the Espoir Health area that are the most affected”, Dr. Olivier Kabarata, head doctor of the Kitutu Zone, told ACTUALITE.CD.

The identified cause of this epidemic is in particular the lack of drinking water for consumption. “The problem is the consumption of dirty water. It was since June 7 that it was felt in Kitutu”, he added.
...

Justin Mwamba

https://actualite.cd/2022/09/28/sud...ra-dans-la-zone-de-sante-de-mwenga-cinq-morts

 

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Kalemie: the mayor declares the cholera epidemic, after 70 registered cases

Posted on Tue, 04/10/2022 - 15:12 | Modified on Tue, 04/10/2022 - 15:12

The mayor of Kalemie (Tanganyika), Gédéon Kakudji declared, this Tuesday, October 4, the cholera epidemic in his city. This recorded 70 patients in three weeks without any deaths.

The mayor of Kalemie indicates that patients should be referred to the treatment center at the first symptoms:

“It is extremely important to ensure that anyone with symptoms such as acute watery diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain or cramps, is directly referred to the appropriate health facilities for better free care. Here, I quote the general reference hospital of Kalemie where there is a treatment center for diarrheal diseases, in the hope of reducing the risk of cholera contamination”.

In addition, Gédéon Kakudji calls on the population to observe the required hygiene rules, "to avoid bathing in the Lukuga River to avoid diseases from dirty hands".

Patient care is done with the support of partners such as the Red Cross and UNICEF.

https://www.radiookapi.net/2022/10/...lepidemie-de-cholera-apres-70-cas-enregistres

 

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DRC: about 510 cases of cholera notified in the 44th week of the year

Published on Thu, 17/11/2022 - 17:16 | Edited on Thu, 17/11/2022 - 19:08

Eight people died out of approximately 510 cases of cholera recorded in the 44th week of the year in the DRC, announced the director of the National Program for the Elimination of Cholera and Control of Other Diseases, Dr Placide Welo, Wednesday, November 16, at Kinshasa.

Dr. Welo delivered these figures during the workshop organized by the Ministry of Planning on the validation of the plan to eliminate cholera in the country by 2030.

He explained that the DRC has recorded more cases of cholera in the mining provinces, particularly in Haut-Katanga and Lwalaba.

In this batch, Dr. Placide Welo also reported cases of this disease in camps for displaced people in North Kivu .

He therefore recommends the strengthening of hygiene measures to counter the resurgence of this disease.

" We must strengthen the availability of water and the sanitation of the environments without which we will always continue to have these outbreaks of cholera ", concluded Dr Placide Welo.

Several multi-sectoral experts take part in this workshop of the Ministry of Planning.

https://www.radiookapi.net/2022/11/1...aine-de-lannee

 

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North Kivu: the resurgence of cholera in Kanyaruchinya undermines the health system in Nyirangongo
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Published on Mon, 12/12/2022 - 10:01 | Modified on Mon, 12/12/2022 - 10:01

The health system in Nyiragongo (North Kivu) is currently facing a major challenge, particularly with the increase in cholera cases in this territory, which is home to more than 100,000 people displaced by war, according to the provincial health division. The latter coordinates the response to this disease at the Kanyaruchinya IDP site. She mentions among the causes of cholera, low drinking water coverage and poor hygienic conditions accentuated by the lack of latrines for the displaced.

The alert was given Friday, December 9 by the international NGO Doctors Without Borders (MSF), which supports access to health care for displaced people in the Nyiragongo health zone.

According to this humanitarian organization, there has been a rapid increase in cholera cases since 26 November. Abdou Musengetsi, MSF project coordinator in Goma, describes a situation aggravated by the increase in cholera and the lack of health and sanitation infrastructure:

“What we are seeing is that there is a large rapid increase in cholera cases in the IDP sites. From November 26 to December 8, we have been able to treat 309 patients who suffer from cholera and the cases are only increasing day by day, on average we have more than 20 new cases admitted to the CTC level per day, which is a big increase. The big challenge that we observe is the lack of water near the displaced persons and even of latrines at the level of the sites of the displaced persons”.

The head of the health division in North Kivu, Dr Janvier Kubuya, who coordinates the health intervention at the site of the displaced persons of Kanyaruchinya, confirms that the need for drinking water is covered only at 10% in the territory of Nyragongo, whereas the conditions Hygienic conditions and the promiscuity of displaced people pose a real problem.

He adds that with his partners MSF and the Red Cross, they organize the management of registered cases. In addition, with the WHO, they are training community relays to strengthen surveillance and public awareness.

https://www.radiookapi.net/2022/12/...u-cholera-kanyaruchinya-met-mal-le-systeme-de