Democratic Republic of the Congo: Cholera situation 'alarming' in Haut-Katanga province

According to the Provincial Minister of Health, Dr. Joseph Nsambi, said this week the cholera situation is alarming especially since almost all health zones are affected by this epidemic.

Since the beginning of 2025, 1,505 cases have been recorded, causing 37 deaths, representing a case fatality rate of 2.5%. This is up from less than 800 cases.

Image/Calliopejen

Faced with this health crisis, the provincial authorities have called an emergency meeting with the mayors of the municipalities as well as heads of state services including Regideso. The objective is to make them responsible in the fight against the epidemic, the provincial Minister of Health insisted.

"We have invited the mayors to take charge of the response. They must lead the local committees to fight the epidemic," insisted Minister Joseph Nsambi while reminding the stakeholders to: ensure the sanitation of streets, markets and neighborhoods; clean rivers and pipes to avoid water contamination; increase awareness campaigns on the importance of hygiene and finally supervise and monitor the application of preventive measures," he added.

For Dr. Joseph Nsambi, there is no doubt that the fight against cholera requires general mobilization.

"This is a job that must be done by involving everyone," he added.

In this context of crisis, an essential measure has been put in place, in particular in the free care of people affected by cholera in the CTCs in Lubumbashi.

“Care is provided free of charge in cholera treatment centres, with the support of our partners,” the minister reassures.

While care is essential, prevention remains the most effective way to stop the epidemic. It is imperative that the population adopt simple but vital actions, including washing hands with soap after each visit to the toilet and before eating, drinking only clean and disinfected water, cooking food thoroughly and keeping it safe from contamination, avoiding self-medication and immediately consulting a health center in the event of acute diarrhea.