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.

Brazzaville, 30 August 2012 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Sambo, says the progress made in containing the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the last 30 years shows that “an AIDS-free generation in the future is possible.”

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

Addis Ababa, 29 August 2012 -- The “Evidence Informed Health Policy in Low and Middle Income Countries” Forum which is coorganised by the WHO Headquarters and the Country Office, the Evidence – informed Health Policy Network (EVIPNet), Supporting the Use of Research Evidence in African Health Systems” (SURE), the Regional East African Community Health (REACH) Policy, the Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research Institute (EHNRI) and the European Commission kicked off yesterday in the presence of Dr. Amha Kebede, representing H.E. Dr.

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.

Lesotho has the third highest HIV prevalence in the world and more than one in five adults are HIV-Positive. The impact of HIV on individuals, families and the whole nation is being felt as adults become too sick to work and children orphaned by AIDS are left to run households.

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

23 August 2012 -- An outbreak of Ebola in western Uganda in July/August 2012 has affected many lives. WHO has provided expertise and documentation to support investigation and control of the disease. As part of the response, WHO and partners are supporting people who have tested negative or recovered from Ebola to reintegrate into community life.

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.

The number of cholera cases in Sierra Leone has increased to 12,456 with 224 deaths as of August 22. The case fatality rate remains at 1,8%. Western Area reported the highest number of cases 198 and 2 deaths.

Cholera situation in Sierra Leone - 23August 2012

For More Information contact:

World Health Organization, 21 A and B Riverside Drive, off King Harman Road, Freetown