Attachments
This Weekly Bulletin focuses on public health emergencies occurring in the WHO African region. This week’s articles cover:
Humanitarian crisis in Mali
Cholera in Kenya
Cholera in Mozambique
For each of these events, a brief description, followed by public health measures implemented and an interpretation of the situation is provided.
A table is provided at the end of the bulletin with information on all new and ongoing public health events currently being monitored in the region, as well as recent events that have been controlled and closed.
Major issues and challenges include:
Mali is in its lean season, a period when the climate-induced conditions associated with low rainfall and reduced water availability complicate the already dire humanitarian crisis faced by millions in the country due to the long-standing armed conflict. Attacks by armed groups persist, and population displacement continues, with limited access to basic needs, including healthcare, food, and adequate shelter. Resources are scarce and it is critical that the international community and humanitarian actors continue to support the people of Mali through this perilous time.
The cholera outbreak in Kenya and Mozambique, two of the countries in sub-Saharan Africa which have been highly affected, show signs of improvement with a sustained reduction in new cases over several weeks. No new deaths have been reported for several weeks. However, inadequate water sanitation and hygiene infrastructures including risk factors which can fuel continued transmission persists in these countries. The low-lying transmission could potentially result in a resurgence if response efforts are relaxed. The governments and partners need to sustain the momentum for controlling these outbreaks before the next rainy season through targeted and well-thought response strategies tailored to the local context.