AWD/Cholera Weekly Epidemiological Report EPI Week 7 (12 February – 18 February 2024) - Somalia

Attachments

New cases for epi-week 7

• 376 new cholera cases were reported from 19 districts.
• 221 (51%) severe cases - 213 (57) children below 5 years - 195 (52%) were female - 3 deaths were reported this week.
• 73 stool samples were tested; 11 samples were positive for V. Cholerae 01 Ogawa by culture.
• While 207 samples were tested using RDT; 60 Samples were possibility for v. cholera 01 Ogawa by RDT

Cumulative cases (Since 1 – 7 Weeks in 2024)

• 2,943 cumulative cases (1,471; 50% were female)
• 1,794 (61%) children
• 1,748 (59%) severe cases - 323 total confirmed Vibrio cholerae 01 Ogawa by culture.
• 24 El Niño flood-affected districts reporting cases.

Somalia has been experiencing uninterrupted disease transmission in the Banadir region since 2017. The ongoing cholera outbreak in Somalia can be attributed to a growing number of people, who lack access to safe water and proper sanitation. In addition to the ongoing cholera outbreak in Somalia, the country is currently experiencing El Niño floods; according to the UN OCHA, the El Niño rains have affected more than 2.5 million people in Somalia, leading to the displacement of 1.2million individuals from their homes and causing 118 deaths. The El Niño floods have significantly impacted Somalia, causing further displacement and affecting vulnerable populations.

The Banadir region of Somalia has seen a noticeable increase in the number of reported AWD/cholera cases over the past two weeks. In Week 6, there were 29 reported cases, which slightly increased to 34 in Week 7, 2024. Notably, no deaths were recorded in either of these weeks within the Banadir region.

During the mentioned weeks, Afgoye, Baidoa, Burhakaba, Merka, Kismayo, Beletweyn, and Jowhar witnessed a fluctuation of increase and decrease in the number of cases.

Additionally, it is noteworthy that there has been a recent AWD outbreak in Jalalaqsi and Bulleburte within the Hiran Region and Mahaday district in the Middle Shabelle region.

Since week 1 of 2024, there has been a significant rise in cholera cases, with a total of 2,943 new cases reported. Among these cases, 1,748 (59%) were classified as severe, indicating the gravity of the illness. Of the reported cases, 1,471 (50%) were female, highlighting the vulnerability of women to cholera infection. Additionally, 1,794 cases (61%) were children under 5 years of age, underscoring the heightened risk faced by this age group. Regrettably, 26 deaths (0.9% case fatality rate) were recorded during this reporting period, emphasizing the severity of the outbreak.

Since January 2024, several districts in Somalia have been significantly affected by the cholera outbreak. The district with the highest number of reported cases is Beletweyn, accounting for 588 cases (20% of total cases). Following closely is the Afgoye with 367 cases (12% of total cases) and Jowhar, with 314 cases (11% of total cases), These statistics highlight the geographical distribution of the outbreak and the urgent need for targeted interventions in these high-risk areas.