The Government of Uganda is conducting a campaign to vaccinate more than 360 000 people against cholera in six hotspot areas of Hoima district with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners.

The immunization drive is part of efforts to control an ongoing cholera outbreak which has affected both refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo and host populations and will use vaccines dispatched from the GAVI-funded global stockpile.

“The oral cholera vaccine is a key weapon in the fight against cholera,” said Dr Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam, WHO Representative for Uganda. ”But it is important that other efforts such as improving water, sanitation and hygiene are stepped up, otherwise cholera will continue to haunt communities.”

The cholera outbreak in Hoima was officially declared on 23rd February 2018 by the Ministry of Health and as of 29th April 2018, there were a cumulative total of 2 119 suspected and confirmed cases with 44 reported deaths.

The six hot spots in Hoima district for the outbreak were Kyangwali, Kigorobya Kabwoya and Buseruka sub-counties, Kigorobya Town council and Kyangwali refugee settlement. In these places, high-risk groups include children, mobile populations particularly living in fishing communities and border communities close to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

For more information please visit WHO Africa website http://www.afro.who.int/