Somalia is grappling with a severe cholera outbreak, reporting 16,231 new cases and 134 deaths since January 2024. The ministry of health and human services attributes the surge to prolonged rainfalls, flash floods, and limited access to safe water and sanitation.
The outbreak has affected several districts, with Kismayo being the hardest hit, accounting for 2,567 cases. In response, a comprehensive oral cholera vaccination campaign was implemented, targeting 920,913 individuals across affected districts. The campaign achieved a 97 coverage rate, successfully vaccinating 895,680 people.
Somalia has experienced uninterrupted acute watery diarrhea and cholera transmission since 2022, with the current outbreak intensifying since December 2023. The World Health Organization WHO reports that Somalia had 18,304 cumulative cases of cholera and 46 deaths in 2023, with over half being children under five years old.
The ministry of health and human services emphasizes the need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas to combat the outbreak. The situation highlights the importance of addressing the root causes of cholera transmission, including improving access to safe water and sanitation, to prevent future outbreaks.
