Cholera hits Yaounde, kills five, infects 88

By Tata Mbunwe

A cholera outbreak that started in Yaounde four weeks ago has killed five people, with 88 cases confirmed as of April 19, Public Health Minister Manaouda Malachi has said.

Although the case fatality is at 5.68 percent, the Minister said the city is experiencing an upsurge of cholera cases for four weeks now.

The outbreak is concentrated around the neighborhoods of Obala, Djoungolo, Cite Verte, Biyem-Assi, Mfou and Nkoldongo.

Minister Manaouda said MINSANTE and its partners have embarked on sensitizing communities, and disinfecting affected areas to prevent a spread of the epidemic to other regions.

“Given the prevailing risk situation, the Minister of Public Health will like to reassure that necessary preventive and curative measures will continue to be taken in order to protect the population as well as the doubly exposed medical personnel, since we are still in the COVID-19 context,” he said.

To prevent a cholera infection, Health authorities say the population should systematically wash their hands with clean water, and soap before and after meals and after using the toilet; to thoroughly wash raw food before eating and to purify water from doubtful sources before drinking.

The outbreak comes exactly a year since a deadly cholera outbreak hit Limbe, Buea, Kumba and other parts of the Southwest Region.

No case has been recorded in the Southwest Region this year.