By EPN Reporter
MBABANE – Eswatini Government is on high alert regarding the cholera outbreak in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) last year.
It is for this reason why the country recorded only two cases of the cholera outbreak and the cases were dealt with successfully. It has been reported that 13 of the 15 countries in the SADC region have been affected by the cholera outbreak. Zambia and Zimbabwe are said to be the hardest hit countries in the region, since the outbreak of the disease last year.
According to a statement issued by Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula, Zambia reported the first cholera case in October 2023, and currently more than 9 500 people have been affected and 374 deaths registered, which represents a high death rate from the disease. Lusaka is the worst affected district in Zambia with over 90 percent of cholera cases diagnosed there.
In Zimbabwe, since the start of the outbreak in February 2023, more than 18 000 cases have been reported across all 10 provinces, with 71 confirmed deaths and more than 300 suspected deaths. Harare and Manicaland Provinces are the most affected. The greatest contributing factor to the cholera outbreak in the SADC Region includes heavy rains and flooding due to climate change and poor water and sanitation hygiene (WASH) systems in the affected countries.
However, Eswatini has been Eswatini last recorded two confirmed cholera cases in March and April 2023 in two regions (Manzini and Shiselweni respectively). Both cases were admitted and treated in isolation with successful outcomes. A success factor was that they were presented early to the health facilities and were promptly diagnosed and treated.
Since early 2023, Matsebula said the country had been positioning itself to be ready to respond to a cholera outbreak, through the following Public Health Emergency Response interventions:
1. Weekly meetings of the National Public Health Emergency Management Committee (PHEMCO) to review response activities and surveillance data on cholera and other public health threats
2. An updated and approved Cholera Preparedness and Response Plan.
3. In-country Cholera Multisectoral Coordination Committee that ensured coordination of the cholera preparedness through involving all sectors.
4. Strong support and partnership with WHO, UNICEF, PEPFAR and Africa CDC, who have all provided technical and financial assistance for cholera preparedness and response in terms of trainings, donations, surveillance activities among others.
5. A successful National Full Scale Simulation Exercise (SIMEX) for cholera and public health threats was conducted in November 2023 in one of the rural communities in the country, from which gaps were identified and are being addressed.
6. Pre-positioning of cholera test kits and stockpiling of drugs and supplies for cholera response has been conducted.
Matsebula assured members of the public that Eswatini remained vigilant against cholera and ensured that the following key interventions were prioritised by the Ministry of Health through working with development partners and donors;
1. Strengthening the component of Water and Sanitation Hygiene (WASH) through stronger in-country collaborations with other sectors responsible for WASH such as City Councils, Authorities and relevant Ministries.
2. Strengthening of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response systems at all levels, including for all diarrhoeal diseases in order to identify cholera quickly. Engagements with neighbouring countries to identify cross-border transmission risks and mitigate them, including improved surveillance for cholera at informal entry points where cholera cases and dead bodies may come through.
3 The Ministry of Health would like to urge members of the public to be vigilant of cholera signs and symptoms and report to the nearest health facility immediately you suspect them.
The minister pleaded with anyone with a watery diarrhoea to visit the nearby health facility, where a diagnosis could be made in case the diarrhoea was due to cholera disease.
