WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES
Week 26: 20 - 26 June 2022
Data as reported by: 17:00; 26 June 2022
...
Cholera Republic of Tanzania
331 case
6 Deaths
1.8% CFR
EVENT DESCRIPTION
On 25 April 2022, the Ministry of Health of the United Republic
of Tanzania notified WHO of an outbreak of cholera in the Kigoma
and Katavi Regions affecting the Uvinza and Tanganyika districts
respectively. As of 22 June 2022, a total of 331 cases with six deaths
(CFR 1.8%) have been reported from the two regions, Kigoma
(n=126) and Katavi (n=205). The outbreak was declared over in the
Kigoma region on 6 June but is still active in the Katavi region.
Since its first detection in Lake Tanganyika district, Katavi region
on 18 April 2022, the cholera outbreak continues to unfold with 27
new cases, including one death reported during the week ending 19
June 2022. This marks a 54% decline following a peak of 59 cases,
including two deaths reported during the preceding week (week
ending 12 June 2022). As of 22 June 2022, a cumulative total of
205 cases with six deaths (CFR 2.9%) have been reported from the
Katavi region. Of 78 samples cultured, 40 were positive for Vibrio
cholerae. The age group 21-30 years comprised most (24.7%) of the
reported cases.
The current outbreak in the Katavi region has been linked to the
outbreak which occurred in the contiguous Kigoma region between
14 April and 6 June 2022. In the Katavi region, the outbreak is
confined to Tanganyika District and has affected three wards -
Karema, Ikola, and Kapalemsenga. Kapalemsenga Ward is at the
epi-centre of the outbreak constituting 47.5% (n=97) of the total
cases reported from the region. Outbreak investigation has revealed
a cluster of cases among primary school children in Kapalemsenga
Ward. Underreporting of cases is likely given the reported suboptimal
surveillance and response activities in the affected areas.
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS
A national emergency coordination mechanism led by the
Ministry of Health with involvement of WHO and partners has
been activated to respond to the outbreak.
The deployment of a national level multi-disciplinary and multisectoral
rapid response team to further investigate and support
field response activities in the affected areas is being planned.
A list of essential medical supplies and logistics to respond
to the outbreak in the affected areas has been compiled for
rapid mobilization of the needed resources to facilitate urgent
procurement.
An update to the district cholera response plan to address
current gaps has been finalized after a review process involving
multi-sectoral stakeholders.
Training of healthcare workers to enhance capacity for
management of cholera cases is ongoing in the affected district.
Risk communication and community engagement activities
involving meetings with local leaders and community
stakeholders to enhance preventive measures including
improved sanitation and hygiene practices are being
implemented.
The local district surveillance team continue to investigate
and report new cases or clusters of cases, including a cluster
involving students at a primary school in Kapalemsenga Ward.
SITUATION INTERPRETATION
Cholera is endemic in Tanzania and the current outbreak is
concentrated in densely populated areas, located along the shores
of Lake Tanganyika, where poor sanitation practices such as open
defecation are prevalent and fueled by limited access to clean water
sanitation and hygiene. A case fatality ratio of 2.9% in Katavi region,
above the 1% threshold for cholera, is concerning amidst reports of
suboptimal surveillance and response activities in the area. National
authorities and partners need to act swiftly as in the case of the
Kigoma region, to prevent further spread of infection as well as deaths
associated with the cholera outbreak. Sustainable investment in clean
water sanitation and hygiene is critical to reduce the incidence of
cholera in the region and prevent recurrent outbreak of the disease.
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/358807/OEW26-2026062022.pdf
https://www.afro.who.int/health-topics/disease-outbreaks/outbreaks-and-other-emergencies-updates