AMI team against cholera outbreak

AMI team against cholera outbreak


A cholera outbreak affecting at least 15 provinces of Afghanistan since 4th October has hit the three provinces supported by Aide Medicale Internationale (Kunar, Laghman and Samangan).

A first outbreak was detected in the Marawara district of Kunar with 15 cases, according to AMI medical team. Mobile teams quickly reacted and controlled the outbreak. In Laghman, around 150 cases cholera cases were reported in the Farashgan area. The disease subsequently appeared in other areas, including Mehterlam, the capital of Laghman province. The wave harshly hit Samangan, with more than 2,000 people affected. Most cases in Samangan province were detected and treated in provincial capital Ayback Hospital, but many other fcuses appeared in more peripheral zones thereafter. AMI dispended health education sessions, purification of water sources and drug supplies.

AMI teams have made all efforts to control it. In the three provinces, mobile teams went to the field as soon as they were informed about the presence of suspect cases in an area. They controlled the outbreak with multiple actions. First, the teams delivered messages to the community, such as regularly washing hands, boiling or chlorinating water, eating freshly cooked food, and not defecating near water sources. Water reservoirs were then chlorinated, and mobile clinics were set up in schools and other key spots in the community.

The cholera outbreak has affected thousands of people, according to the Afghan Ministry of Public Health and AMI, causing more than 20 deaths. However rare and occurrence, cholera epidemics have hit some Afghan provinces in the past. This year, the cholera outbreak has been particularly wide. To blame are natural factors such as the dry weather (especially this year), lack of personal hygiene behaviors and increasing communication means.

The cholera outbreak has been controlled in Kunar, while the situation is in the process of resolution in Laghman and Samangan.
sent 4 November 2008