The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is battling the worst cholera epidemic in 25 years, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) announced on Monday. Since January, nearly 2,000 people have died there as a result of the disease, informs TASR according to a Reuters report.
- The DRC is facing its worst cholera epidemic in 25 years.
- Almost 2,000 people, including children, have died of cholera since January.
- The spread is related to the lack of clean water and the conflict with the M23.
- Only 43% of DRC residents have access to basic water services.
- The cholera elimination plan is underfunded.
It causes cholera after consuming contaminated food or water diarrhoea, vomiting and muscle cramps. It often leads to severe dehydration, which can lead to death within hours. If clean water, hygiene products and timely medical care are available, it is easily preventable and treatable.
Since January, authorities in the DRC have recorded 64,427 cases of infection and 1,888 deaths, of which 14,818 infections and 340 deaths were among children. UNICEF said. “Congolese children should not be so severely affected by a completely preventable disease,” said UNICEF spokesman John Agbor.
Currently, 17 of the country’s 26 provinces are affected, and according to UNICEF, it it is related to the lack of clean water and the conflict with the rebels from the March 23 Movement (M23) supported by Rwanda.
According to UNICEF’s statement, it has only 43 percent of people in the DRC have access to at least basic water services, which is the least in Africa. Only 15 percent follow basic hygiene measures.
Although the DRC government has a plan to eliminate cholera cases, UNICEF says it is underfunded. “Without additional funding and coordinated action, many more lives could be lost,” Agbor warned. Reuters adds that health authorities have also noted an increase in cholera cases in Angola, Burundi and other parts of Africa.
