Sierra Leone News

The World Health Organization is supporting a five day theoretical and bench training of laboratory scientists and technologists on identification of bacterial pathogens, at the Central Public Health Reference Laboratory (CPHRL) in Freetown.

The cholera situation in Sierra Leone has still on the rise. Cumulatively, the districts are reporting over two hun-dred cases per day. Majority of the cases are occurring in the Western Area (urban and suburban communities of the Capital, Freetown) where the outbreak was first confirmed in June 2012.

Cholera Situation in Sierra Leone, 6 September, 2012

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The ongoing cholera outbreak in Sierra Leone is still on the increase with the Capital City and its suburbs (Western Area) accounting for more than 50% of the reported cases and about 34% of the deaths nationally. Kailahun remains the only district in the country without a confirmed cholera case. Active surveillance and social mobilisation activities are however underway in that district to prevent spread of the disease in case of an outbreak there.

In Sierra Leone, the situation with the current cholera outbreak is still critical. As of September 3, 2012, a cumulative of 15,838 cases with 251 deaths giving a case fatality Rate of 1.6% was reported by the Directorate of Disease Prevention and Control.

According to daily reports, district that reported the highest number of cases include: Western Area (169), Bombali (18) and Kenema (18). There is improvement in data collection from all districts. In the Western Area over 79% of facilities report daily.

As of 2 September 2012, the cumulative number of cases and deaths reported by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation were 15,564 and 249 deaths respectively. Twelve (12) of the 13 districts in the country are now affected. On 2 September 2012, Western Area continued to report the highest number of cases (187), followed by Bombali (16), Tonkolili (12) and Kenema (11). No death was reported from all the districts. It is noted that case management has improved in most districts.

As of 29 August 2012, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation in Sierra Leone has reported a total of 14,521 cholera cases with 243 deaths since January 2012, affecting 11 of the 13 districts in the country. Western Area (where the capital city Freetown is located) have reported about 50% of the cumulative total case load followed by Port Loko 21% and Kambia district 9%. The overall case fatality rate is 1.7%. The daily reported number of cases is still high with Western Area reporting about 63 % of the cases.

Nationally the cholera incidence continues to show an upward trend particularly in Western Area which accounts for the majority of cases (49%). As of the 28 August 2012 the national cumulative for all eleven districts is 14,225 cases with 235 deaths (CFR=1.7). Western Area(163), Bombali (35), Tonkolili (22) and Port Loko (22) reported the highest number of cases.

Cholera situation in Sierra Leone - 29August 2012

Nationally the cholera incidence continues to show an upward trend particularly in Western Area which accounts for the majority of cases (49%). As of the 27 August 2012 the national cumulative for all ten districts is 13,918 cases with 232 deaths (CFR=1.7). Western Area(183), Bombali (20) and Tonkolili (17) reported the highest number of cases. Cholera outbreak has been confirmed in Kenema district in the East of the country bringing the number of affected districts to 11. Reported data indicate 16 cases with no deaths.

Nationally the cholera incidence continues to show an upward trend particularly in Western Area which accounts for the majority of cases (49%). As of the 26 August 2012 the national cumulative for all ten districts is 13,659 cases with 231 deaths (CFR=1.7). The following districts continue to report high number of cases; Western Area (210) , Bombali (31) and Tonkoli (31).

Cholera situation in Sierra Leone - 26August 2012

As of 24 August, 2012, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation in Sierra Leone has reported a total of 12,819 cholera cases with 224 deaths since January 2012, affecting 10 of the 13 districts in the country. The overall case fatality rate is 1.7% but has reached 14.6 % in Moyamba district. The majority of the cases, 48% have been reported from Western area where the capital city, Freetown is located. The highest number of new cases for the day were 190 and 40 reported in Western Area and Bombali respectively. None of the districts reported any deaths.