Overseas briefs

A print friendly PDF version is available from this Communicable Diseases Intelligence issue's table of contents.

Source: World Health Organization(WHO)

Cholera

Uganda

The outbreak of cholera which began in late 1997 is continuing. Reports to WHO continue to show high numbers of cases with case fatality rates ranging from 4% to 5.5%. At the end of June 1998 a total of 38,697 cases and 1,576 deaths had been officially reported since the beginning of the outbreak. The total number of affected districts is now 39, covering a large part of the country. Most of the neighbouring countries have also been affected by major cholera outbreaks since late 1997 and continue to report cases.

Cambodia

The Ministry of Health has reported a cholera outbreak in Banteay Manchey Province in the north-west of the country. The outbreak started on 14 June 1998 and has so far affected three villages. Up to 29 June, 69 cases and 15 deaths had been reported. Control measures are being carried out by the Ministry of Health. These include enhanced surveillance and a health education campaign.

In 1997 a total of 155 cholera cases were reported in Cambodia. In 1996 and 1995, 4,190 and 3,085 cases were reported respectively.

This article was published in Communicable Diseases Intelligence Vol 22 No 8, 6 August 1998.