DRC— The Democratic Republic of Congo is currently facing a severe public health crisis as a cholera epidemic has been declared in the health zone of Shabunda, situated in the province of South Kivu within the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The outbreak has raised concerns about the health and well-being of the population, requiring immediate action to mitigate its impact.
The territorial authorities have issued an urgent appeal to citizens, emphasizing the crucial importance of adhering to strict hygiene measures.
One of the key measures highlighted is the construction of toilets, which plays a pivotal role in preventing the further spread of the disease.
Kongakonga Muzalia, interim administrator of Shabunda territory, underscored the gravity of the situation, stating, “The cholera epidemic is well confirmed in our territory of Shabunda. This is why I ask all village leaders to require households to build toilets. Recalcitrants will be punished.”
In response to the crisis, the Shabunda Zone Head doctor has called upon all patients to seek free medical care at the Shabunda General Hospital, recognizing the urgent need to provide healthcare services to those affected.
The gravity of the cholera outbreak in Shabunda is alarming, with reports indicating 67 cases of cholera in just two weeks, resulting in 11 tragic fatalities.
The outbreak has significantly impacted not only the health of the community but also various mining sites within Shabunda.
This epidemic is not an isolated incident, as it is part of a larger cholera crisis that has been gripping the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Of the 34 health zones in the province of South Kivu, seven are currently affected by cholera. This ongoing health emergency has been exacerbated by conflict and displacement in the eastern part of the country, making it one of the worst cholera epidemics the DRC has faced in years.
The situation in North Kivu, the worst affected province, is dire, with over 21,400 confirmed or suspected cholera cases, including more than 8,000 cases involving children under 5 years of age.
This stark contrast to the previous year, which saw a total of 5,120 cases for all age groups, highlights the severity of the current crisis.
UNICEF’s senior coordinator for emergencies in the DRC, Shameza Abdulla, has called for urgent action to prevent the situation from worsening.
In 2017, a similar cholera outbreak spread across the entire country, including the capital city, Kinshasa, resulting in a staggering 55,000 cases and over 1,100 deaths.
The displacement crisis in the DRC, with more than 6.3 million displaced people across the country, poses a significant challenge.
Displacement camps are overcrowded and lacking in essential resources, making them vulnerable to cholera transmission.
For example, families residing in displacement camps near Goma, the provincial capital, are grappling with severe water and sanitation shortages, with nearly 300,000 people, including 183,000 children, lacking access to sufficient water and sanitation facilities.
In-depth investigations have revealed that a significant percentage of cholera-affected households have been displaced this year, further exacerbating the crisis.
Families living in cholera hotspots face multiple health risks, including malnutrition, inadequate prenatal care, and limited access to vaccinations.
To address this growing crisis, UNICEF is urgently seeking US$62.5 million to expand its prevention and response efforts for cholera and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) over the next five months.
This initiative aims to reach 1.8 million people, including 1 million children, providing them with safe water, hygiene kits, latrines, medical supplies, and child-friendly cholera care.
However, the current funding for this appeal stands at a mere 9%, highlighting the pressing need for additional support.
The challenges posed by the cholera epidemic extend beyond the availability of vaccines. While the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended rationing vaccine shots due to depleting global stockpiles, the situation remains precarious.
A single vaccine dose has been deemed effective in previous outbreaks but offers limited immunity. The WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, emphasized the necessity of a holistic approach to cholera prevention, with a focus on safe water and sanitation access.
The demand for vaccines continues to rise, underscoring the urgency of addressing the ongoing crisis comprehensively.
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