Cholera outbreak in Lubumbashi

While the media are focused on the conflict in Eastern DR Congo, Kimbilio's home city of Lubumbashi - 1000 miles away from the conflict - is battling a cholera outbreak that is getting scarce mention in the press. Officials declared it an epidemic earlier this month and have moved forward aggressively with efforts to combat it. The disease is present in all seven of Lubumbashi's communes.

Cholera is a bacterial disease of the intestines that is spread through contaminated water and food. People who live in places with unsafe drinking water, poor sanitation, and inadequate hygiene are at highest risk of cholera. While most people are asymptomatic, cholera can cause life-threatening watery diarrhea and vomiting. Every year, up to 4 million people around the world get cholera, and between 21,000 to 143,000 people die. (Source: US Center for Disease Control)

Following working meetings among the mayors of the seven communes of Lubumbashi as well as other officials, an action plan is being executed under provincial and local public leadership to fight the epidemic. The sick are being treated for free by qualified personnel at designated Cholera Treatment Centers. A public awareness campaign is stressing the importance of adhering to strict hygiene measures. These measures include sanitizing living environments, thoroughly washing fruits, vegetables, and food before eating them, washing hands regularly, and avoiding contact with infected people. Numbers on how many have been impacted to date are not available.

Community workers are visiting neighborhoods across the seven communes to spray anti-cholera products. The Kimbilio Mapendo School was sprayed just after school hours. The slide show is of the local authorities treating Kimbilio's premises.

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