The national trend of the cholera situation in Sierra Leone continues to show a decline. Cases in the Western Area, which accounts for the highest number, are also on the decrease.

As of 20 September 2012, the update released by the Min-istry of Health and Sanitation on the outbreak reported 19,283 cases and 276 deaths with a case fatality rate of 1.4%. The Western Area reported the highest number of cases followed by Tonkolilli, Kenema and Bombali dis-tricts as shown in the table above. Kailahun remained the only district without a confirmed case.

A cumulative total of 18,734 cases and 272 deaths have been reported by the Directorate of Disease Prevention and Control in the Ministry of Health and Sanitation as of 17 September, 2012.

On 17 September, 214 cases with one death were reported from the 12 affected districts. Western Area remains the worst affected district with 106 reported cases. The Case Fatality Rate for Western Area is at 1.0% while the attack rate is 0.77%.

Maputo, 18 September 2012 — The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Sambo, has stated that countries of the African Region should invest much more in scientific research to build stronger evidence and generate new knowledge and technological innovation in health.

In this issue:

The UN House Bomb Blast Remembered
Commemoration
Integrated Community Case Management
Nigeria gets US$ 225 million to fight Malaria
International Health Regulation
WHO in brief

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Wedza, 17 Sept. 2012 -- In line with the new global momentum towards the control, elimination and eradication of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs ) , Zimbabwe launched a mass drug administration against schistosomiasis (bilharzia ) and soil transmitted helminthes ( intestinal worms ) at a function held at Wedza High School.

The mass drug administration is the final phase of a process which started with a national prevalence survey in 2010, and the development of the master plan that began in 2011 and completed in 2012.

Maputo, 14 September 2012 -- The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Gomes Sambo, is expected in Mozambique as from tomorrow, 15 September 2012, for an official four-day visit to the country on the invitation of the Ministry of Health (MoH).

Ministers of Health from the East African Community Countries (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda) and delegates gathered from 11 to 13 September, 2012, at the Serena Hotel in Kigali, Rwanda, for the Regional Conference on Social Health Protection in the East African Community (EAC) .

In Sierra Leone, the cholera outbreak is ongoing. As of September 11, 2012, a cumulative of 17,538 cases with 261 deaths giving a case fatality Rate of 1.5% 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 (115), Bo (19) and Tonkolili (17). Western Area where the capital city Freetown is located continues to report most of the cholera cases.

As of 10 September 2012, the cumulative number of cases and deaths reported by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation were 17,319 and 259 deaths respectively. Twelve (12) of the 13 districts in the country are now affected.

On 10 September 2012, Western Area continued to report the highest number of cases (140), followed by Bombali (20), Tonkolili (14) and Kambia (13). One death was reported from Kenema district. The national case fatality ratio is now 1.5.

On 11th September, 2012, the Government of United Republic of Tanzania (Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW) and Prime Minister’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government (PMO-RALG)) in collaboration with the WHO Country Office officially launched the initiative to strengthen district health services in Tanzania. The launch was officiated by the Deputy Minister PMORALG, Hon. Kassim Majaliwa (MP) in Dodoma.