DR Congo: Cholera cases spike amid fight against Ebola

The provinces of South Kivu, North Kivu and Haut-Katanga account for nearly 60 per cent of reported suspected cases.

Transmission remains high in provinces where cholera is endemic.

During the latest surveillance period, four new health zones were affected, three in Tshuapa province and one in South Kivu.

However, response operations are facing security and logistical challenges.

In the east of the country, insecurity restricts medical teams’ access to certain areas, particularly Kibua and Masisi. The remoteness of villages from healthcare facilities also delays treatment, increasing the risk of death, WHO warned.

Environmental conditions are also exacerbating the situation.

The use of well water and rainfall, which can carry contaminated water to sources used by households, promotes the transmission of the disease.

To reduce the risk of contamination, response teams are preparing to install four water chlorination sites in the most affected areas of North Kivu and, in Tanganyika, plans are underway to disinfect nearly 4,000 households and 5,900 latrines.

Preparations for an oral vaccination campaign are also continuing in the islands along the Congo River corridor.

DRC and the Republic of Congo are developing a joint cross-border vaccination plan.

In South Kivu, reactive vaccination campaigns are continuing in the Mulungu and Shabunda health zones, alongside community awareness activities.

This increase in cholera comes as DRC faces an Ebola epidemic that is severely straining the country’s health capacity.

According to the latest WHO data published on Tuesday, 9,066 cases and 4,381 deaths have been recorded in seven provinces and 65 health zones, representing a case fatality rate of 48.3 per cent. The report also indicates 2,389 recoveries.

In DRC, the response continues with the support of the WHO and its partners. In the Haut-Uele province, the Ebola treatment centre in Isiro has been expanded to accommodate more patients, while preserving essential health services at the city’s main general referral hospital.

WHO also delivered an additional tonne of medical supplies to bolster operations on the ground.

The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, has also raised concerns in neighbouring countries.

After reporting 20 cases and two deaths, Uganda was declared Ebola-free in August.

Last week, Kenya confirmed in Nairobi the death of a Kenyan national infected with the virus after traveling from the DRC via Uganda.

This is the first imported case reported by the country in connection with this outbreak, with media reports indicating a possible second Ebola case.