The Far North Region is once again grappling with a fresh cholera outbreak with 27 confirmed cases and the death of a five-year-old child reported.
The first case of this fresh wave of cholera cases was reported on November 8, 2024 when four people from the same family were admitted for severe diarrhea in health facilities in the region. Two of them were confirmed immediately after rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) were performed, and two others confirmed by culture on November 10.
Public health and administrative authorities are now struggling to contain the outbreak of the disease that has infected 27 others. The Senior Divisional Officer, SDO of the Diamare, Jean Marc Ekoa, is currently spearheading a sensitization campaign in schools, markets, churches, bus stations , mosques and other public places in a bid to stop the spread of the infectious disease.
“You should wash your hands often because there is a cholera outbreak in the region,” Jean Marc Ekoa told inhabitants of the regions.
The team is educating the population on the dangers of the disease and how to prevent further infections.
Jean Marc Ekoa has warned that authorities will take action against those who fail to comply with measures to stop the fast-spreading disease.
As part of efforts to stop the disease from spreading, sanitary teams have disinfected about 150 homes in affected areas, while security forces systematically supervise burial of persons who died from the disease.
Persons infected with the disease range from 5-55 years, and are being treated in health facilities in three health districts in the region.
Maroua 2 and 3 sub divisions of the Far North Region are the most affected by the scourge.
On health districts in these areas, medics are intensifying the follow up of confirmed cases and seeking effective ways of containing the spread of the disease.
“Since last week, we have tested 27 confirmed cases of cholera. Some have been treated and sent back home. We have isolation wards and the moment someone comes with symptoms, we immediately refer them to those wards so that they don’t get mixed up with other patients,” Dr. Olivier H. Elie , on one of the health facilities where patients are treated said.
Common Outbreaks
Cholera outbreaks are common in the country’s far North Region. This new outbreak comes after severe flooding in the region affected close to 500,000 people.
Limited access to potable water supply, cross border movements, cultural influences especially open defecation and burial of the dead on mountain tops are among issues that favor cholera outbreaks, according to the World Health Organization .
To improve the management of the disease, WHO recommends improving access to clean water and sanitation, food safety, the use of oral cholera vaccines, strengthening surveillance, improving access to care and setting up oral rehydration points.
Prevention measures
Cholera is a virulent disease spread through contaminated water and food. It can cause severe diarrhea, dehydration, and death.
To prevent the disease, health experts recommend systematic washing of hands with running clean water with soap before and after meals, frequent washing of hands with running clean water and soap, and after using the latrine, proper washing or cooking food before consumption, and drinking portable water.
Cholera is treated free of charge in all health facilities in Cameroon.
Kathy Neba Sina
