In Sierra Leone, the situation with the current cholera outbreak remained critical. As of August 16, 2012, 10,905 cases with 184 deaths with a Case Fatality Rate of 1.7 was reported by the Directorate of Disease Prevention and Control of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation. While data collection and verification have improved particularly in Western Area, there is need to heighten vigilance in those districts not yet affected by cholera for early detection and prompt action.

On 17 August 2012, the Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Democratic Republic of Congo, notified the World Health Organization (WHO) of an outbreak of Ebola Haemorrhagic fever in the Isiro and Dungu Health Zones of Province Orientale in Eastern DRC. A total of 10 suspected cases (9 in Isiro and 1 in Dungu) and 6 deaths (5 deaths in Isiro  and 1 in Dungu) have been reported.

17 August 2012 - The Ministry of Health of Uganda (MoH) continues to work with partners to control the outbreak of Ebola haemorrhagic fever in Kibaale district. The national and district task forces also meet daily to coordinate the response to the outbreak.

President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, His Excellency Dr Ernest Bai Koroma has declared a national “humanitarian emergency” over the cholera outbreak that has resulted in 10, 734 reported cases and 181 deaths in 8 of the 13 affected districts by August 15, 2012.

Cholera situation in Sierra Leone - 16 August 2012

His Excellency  Dr. Tedros Adhanom, Minister of Health (MOH) and Patron of the 13th World Public Health Congress and Dr. Tewabech Bishaw, President of EPHA, recognized  institutions and individuals for their contribution to the success of the 13th World Congress of Public Health in an official ceremony organized by the EPHA, at the Sheraton Addis Hotel, on 11th August 2012.  The WHO   Regional Office   and WHO Country Office (WCO) / Ethiopia were among the recipients of crystal awards for their significant contributions.

President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, His Excellency Dr Ernest Bai Koroma has declared a national “humanitarian emergency” over the cholera outbreak that has resulted in 10, 734 reported cases and 181 deaths in 8 of the 13 affected districts by August 15, 2012.

Cholera situation in Sierra Leone - 15 August 2012

Ebola was confirmed in Uganda on 28 July 2012. WHO, with the Ministry of Health and partners, has prevented the outbreak from expanding beyond Kibaale District. But more support is needed.

As of 13 August 2012, 9,910 cholera cases, with 171 deaths have been reported by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) since January 2012. The Case Fatality Rate (CFR) has remained at 1.7%. The numbers of cases & deaths reported continue to rise with formerly low reporting districts (Tonkolili and Port Loko) recording higher numbers of cases and deaths.

Cholera situation in Sierra Leone - 14 August 2012

On Wednesday, 1st August, WHO Lesotho Country Representative, Dr. Jacob Mufunda, undertook a press briefing session with the national media to inform them about the recent establishment of the African Public Health Emergency Fund(APHEF). He encouraged wide publicity and sustained advocacy in support of the implementation of the resolution. The purpose of the APHEF is to facilitate the mobilizing, managing and disbursing of additional resources from Member States for responding to public health emergencies in a most efficient and timely manner.

10 August 2012,  Brazzaville - The Executive Director of Roll Back Malaria (RBM), Dr Fatoumata Nafo-Traore, ended a two-day official visit to the WHO Regional Office for Africa in Brazzaville, Congo yesterday.