Cholera outbreak kills 8 in northern Cameroon

Written by Eugene N. Nforngwa

Tuesday, 15 June 2010 13:47

MAROUA—Cholera has killed eight people and left more than 80 more sick in the latest out break in at least four localities of the Far North region.

The last outbreak in the region was only in October 2009, according to relief agencies, who are working together with the governmnet to contain the disease.

Spread has been blamed mainly on poor hygiene and water contamination, even though poor access to healthcare could be worsening things.

Authorities have tried to contain the infection by reactivating cholera control units and banning the sale of food of doubtful quality.

Wells are being disinfected while patients are being treated with Doxycycline side by side with education campaigns.
But the efforts are being held back by the high population density of the affected areas and the rapid spread of the disease, says the Cameroon Red Cross.
The Red Cross expects to give assistance to some 800,000 people. Affected areas include Mogode, Kousseri, Makary and Mada.

The Cameroon Red Cross has obtained a grant of $123,128 for relief efforts related to the outbreak in the region.
“Red Cross volunteers are already carrying out sensitization activities in the field to help stop the spread of the epidemics,” a statement by the International Federation of the Red Cross said.

“ The National Society intends to assist the Ministry of Public Health by conducting social mobilisation, including sensitisation of populations, individual and collective hygiene promotion, and water disinfection as a contribution to the eradication of the epidemics.

“This operation is therefore requested to support the National Society in carrying out all these activities that will benefit an estimated 3,230,700 inhabitants of the Far North region of Cameroon exposed to the disease.
This operation is expected to be implemented over three months, and will therefore be completed by September, 2010.