Cholera outbreak in Kasai Oriental continues to worsen

The cholera outbreak in Kasai Oriental Province in the south of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to worsen, with a total of 672 people affected by the epidemic, which broke out on 19 September, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Within a seven-day period alone, 222 cholera cases - representing an increase of 33 percent - were reported with 10 more deaths within that week, the number rose to 50, representing an increase of 20 percent, the Federation said on Tuesday. Health authorities had said this trend was continuing, particularly in the city of Mbuji-Mayi and the villages of Bakamba, Kamaleka, Kambanga and Tshilunde, the Federation reported, while government health officials had said that the true total number of cases and deaths might never be established due to problems affecting access, communications and cultural traditions. "The situation will certainly be exacerbated by the rainy season, which has just started," the Federation said. "Urgent actions may be required from local authorities and humanitarian agencies if the situation deteriorates further." A crisis committee called STOP CHOLERA was convening regular meetings to coordinate the activities of the different agencies, including the provincial DRC Red Cross committee, and international relief NGOs such as the Belgian sections of Medecins Sans Frontieres and Memisa, as well as Caritas, Catholic Relief Services, and Health Net. Should the situation deteriorate further, the Federation said it would consider issuing an international appeal.