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This update describes the development, status, and activities implemented by the humanitarian community in response to the Acute Watery Diarrhoea outbreak in Somaliland. The update follows the structure as proposed in the WHO guidelines for cholera outbreak response. The report is built on surveillance data that health service providers and NGOs transmit on a weekly basis from health facilities and hospitals in Somaliland.

Highlights

Between 1 January and 22 June, 2007, 2318 Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD) cases were reported from Somaliland including 35 related deaths.

In the current week (epidemiological week 25), the reported number of cases decreased by 14%, in comparison to the previous week (326 and 436 respectively).

In comparison with previous epidemiological weeks, the overall Case Fatality Rate (CFR) continues to decrease from 5.26% in epidemiological week 20, to 1.84% in the current week.

Overall, Toghheer region reported 51% (1189) cases, including 46% (16) of the total related deaths. The trend shows a slight decrease in the reported cases compared to the last epidemiological week.

Although Adwal region reported only 11% (259) of the total reported cases, it reported the highest CFR 2.70%.

V. cholerae serogroup O1, serotype Inaba was confirmed in 26 out of 62 samples collected from Hargeisa and Burao.

The number of reported AWD cases is decreasing in the 3 regions of Somaliland.