Cholera Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is an endemic country for cholera. Since November of 2017 to mid-February 2018, 1065 cases including 43 deaths were reported in Kinshasa province. Although Cholera is common in some regions, heavy rainfall in January 2018 followed by widespread flooding lead to a dramatic increase of cholera cases. Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease that is transmitted by consumption of food or water contaminated with the bacteria Vibrio cholerae. To help combat the outbreak, there are many treatment centers open as well as laboratories to help streamline specimen testing. The Ministry of Health and the WHO are working to send diarrhoeal and emergency kits to those who are affected. The WHO recommends focusing on improvements to water quality and sanitation to prevent the transmission of cholera. To read more about the outbreak, click here.