Suspected cholera outbreaks in Afghanistan

ABSTRACT

Between 11 April and 11 July 2011, the Ministry of Public Health, Afghanistan has reported small isolated outbreaks of acute watery diarrhoea [suspected cholera] from several districts in nine provinces [Samangan, Kandahar, Zabul, Kabul, Khost, Ghazni, Paktya, Nangahar and Faryab]. A total of 1093 cases and 11 related deaths were recorded. Teams from the Disease Early Warning System with the support of WHO and other stakeholders rapidly investigated, responded to and contained these outbreaks were within the affected districts. Control measures included case management, health education and water and sanitation measures: