The death toll in Cameroon’s ongoing cholera outbreak has surpassed 420, with an additional 26 deaths reported in the past two weeks, according to a health ministry official on Thursday.
The outbreak, which was declared in October 2021, has seen a significant surge in cases since late March of this year after a period of low transmission, as stated by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Linda Esso, an official from the Ministry of Health, revealed that the number of confirmed cholera cases in Cameroon has now reached 1,868.
Cholera is a highly infectious disease that causes severe diarrhea, vomiting, and weakness.
It is primarily transmitted through contaminated food or water and can be fatal within a matter of hours if left untreated.
The WHO reported that fourteen African countries have reported cholera cases since the beginning of 2023.
The WHO is particularly concerned about the higher case fatality ratios being reported in many countries compared to previous years.
In Cameroon, the health ministry stated in a situation report that “more than 79% of cases reach health facilities in a moderate or severe state,” which increases the likelihood of fatalities.
Efforts are underway to contain the outbreak and provide necessary medical interventions to affected individuals in order to mitigate the impact of the cholera epidemic in Cameroon.
