Cholera in the Comoros, Transmission very intense in Anjouan (Ndzuwani)
Since the declaration of the cholera epidemic on February 2 this year, and as of June 6, Comoros has recorded 8,634 cumulative cases of cholera and 133 deaths, representing a 1.5 percent case mortality rate.
All three islands of Comoros continue to experience local cholera transmission, with all 17 health districts in the country having reported cases since the start of the epidemic. Transmission has been relatively low in Grande Comore (Ngazidja) and Moheli (Mwali) during the reporting period, but very intense in the epicenter of Anjouan (Ndzuwani) where 7,520 cases and 112 deaths have been reported, accounting for 87 percent of the cases and 84 percent of the fatalities.
The cities of Mutsamudu and Domoni have been hit particularly hard in Anjouan.
Children and adolescents make up over 40% of reported cases.
The last outbreak of the disease in the national territory dates back to 2007.
According to UNICEF:
A partnership between UNICEF, the Ministry of Health, and the Comorian Red Crescent, 13 Case Area Targeted Interventions (CATI) teams continued to respond across the three islands to prevent further cholera transmission. The teams have reached over 35,000 households with house decontamination and stop cholera kits, and over 135,000 individuals via door-to-door or small group interactions.
With the arrival of 872,301 doses of Euvichol Plus oral cholera vaccines (OCV) in Comoros, UNICEF has facilitated the safe transport of the vaccines to Anjouan and Moheli and is actively supporting preparation for the upcoming vaccination campaign.
Risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) efforts are ongoing with 71,400 people reached with direct person-to-person communication. UNICEF also trained 18 associations to support RCCE efforts.