Cholera outbreak spreads in Tanzania
WHO reported new foci of cholera in Tanzania after a recent outbreak caused nearly 5,000 infections and 68 deaths as of Oct. 19.
Thirteen regions have been affected, and 72% of the infections (n = 3,460) were reported in the Dar es Salaam region.
Tanzania’s ministry of health launched water sanitation protocols and health education campaigns to control the outbreak. Officials from WHO, the CDC and the Field Epidemiology Program joined local health authorities to enhance surveillance and coordinate timely response alerts.
WHO continues to support five treatment centers in Dar es Salaam and Morogoro. It also deployed two public health experts to manage cases and social mobilization and to ensure the implementation of water, sanitation and hygiene interventions. An international technical staff will assist officials in identifying clinical cases.
Presently, WHO does not recommend any travel or trade restrictions. According to the organization, cholera can be deadly when left untreated. There are 1.4 million to 4.3 million cases, and 28,000 to 142,000 deaths globally due to cholera each year. Most cases are treated with oral rehydration salts. Oral cholera vaccines also can control infection, but should not replace conventional control measures, according to WHO.
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