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On the 18 January 2017 the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that the Ministry of Health in Somalia has provided an update on the ongoing outbreak of cholera.
A total of 1306 new suspected cholera cases were reported in the first two weeks of January 2017. Most of the new cases reported in 2017 were from Bay, Banadir, Middle Shabelle and Lower Shabelle regions.
The cumulative total between January and December 2016 was 15 619 suspected cases of cholera, including 531 associated deaths were reported. Of these, 80 cases were laboratory confirmed for Vibrio cholerae.
In response the Ministry of Health, WHO, UNICEF and nongovernmental organizations have expanded prevention and control efforts, helped to improve surveillance systems and decreased the case-fatality rate. However, this outbreak has increased pressure on an already weakened health system which is also battling malnutrition, measles and other emerging diseases. Somalia is currently experiencing severe drought with acute food insecurity, and water shortage.
Severe cholera is rare in travellers, mild cases may present as travellers' diarrhoea.
When to consider vaccination
Vaccination should be considered under the following circumstances and is dependant on the individual risk assessment: