A cholera outbreak continues to spread in much of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with more than 35,000 cases and 700 deaths reported since the beginning of this year.
The escalation has been attributed to extreme weather events, poor sanitation and a displacement crisis in the east.
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Over 35,000 cholera cases reported in DRC this year
Over 35,000 cholera cases reported in DRC this year
Over 35,000 cholera cases reported in DRC this year
Over 35,000 cholera cases reported in DRC this year
Over 35,000 cholera cases reported in DRC this year
Over 35,000 cholera cases reported in DRC this year
The number of people with the bacterial disease has been rising in the DRC since January.
There are many causes of the increase in cases, including the impact of the conflict in the east of the country.
Many cholera cases have been reported in the northeastern province of Tshopo and in the capital Kinshasa as well.
Ngiri Ngiri hospital is among the centers providing free treatment to cholera patients in Kinshasa. The disease has spread rapidly across the city in recent months. Health workers have been recording 130 cases every week.
Cholera is spread by eating food or drinking water contaminated with certain bacteria.
Mohamed Yakub Janabi, the World Health Organization's Regional Director for Africa, visited one of the treatment centers in Kinshasa.
Despite the rising cases, he said he was optimistic about ending the outbreak.
"Cholera is about hygiene. We'll continue to work together with the government which we are very grateful for their support on hand washing and proper usage of latrines so that we can combat cholera. So, my assessment now is we are doing pretty good. We expect the patients who are inside to be discharged within the coming few days," said Janabi.
The cholera cases have come at a time when the DRC is already grappling with other disease outbreaks.
"We are very engaged with tackling two epidemics: Mpox and more especially Cholera. We have been monitoring Cholera for the past 27 weeks and now have 17 provinces that have reported cases," said Roger Kamba, health minister of the country.
The lack of access to clean water in many of the conflict zones in eastern DRC has been made worse by U.S. government's cutting funding for emerging economies.
Congolese authorities are now relying on the support of the WHO and other aid agencies to curb the spread of cholera and other diseases.
Over 35,000 cholera cases reported in DRC this year
Over 35,000 cholera cases reported in DRC this year
Over 35,000 cholera cases reported in DRC this year
Over 35,000 cholera cases reported in DRC this year
Over 35,000 cholera cases reported in DRC this year
Over 35,000 cholera cases reported in DRC this year
