The challenges of addressing the cholera outbreak in Cameroon

Abstract

Cholera is an enteric disease caused by the ingestion of food or water contaminated by the toxins of the bacteria - Vibrio Cholerae. Its transmission is exacerbated by poor sanitary conditions and poor hygiene practices. Affected individuals may present with severe symptoms such as watery diarrhoea and vomiting that can lead to death within few hours. Cameroon is experiencing its worst cholera outbreak in decades. The outbreak is severest in the South-West and the Littoral regions. As of the time of writing, in six regions of the country, 6652 suspected cases of cholera including 134 deaths (CFR 2%) have been reported and the number is rising. Shortage of safe drinking water and contamination of rivers has exacerbated the outbreak, especially in the rural and hard to reach communities. The trans-border movement at the South-West region, defecation in the open and on rivers, and overcrowding at the Littoral region have been particularly challenging towards curbing the outbreak. Despite the challenges, Cameroon's health authorities have been working to bring the situation under control by engaging in community sensitization on good hygiene habits, disinfection of houses and vaccination campaigns. In the light of these, it is recommended that Cameroon should improve and strengthen its vaccination campaign across the country. Adequate health systems should be established at the point of entry to prevent cross-border cholera transmission and retransmission. Access to hard to reach communities should be improved so that vaccines and basic health care and sanitation services such as provision of safe drinking water can be provided.