UNICEF and partners respond to the cholera outbreak in Central African Republic
Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease caused by ingestion of food or water that has been contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholera, which is found in faecal matter.
The outbreak started in Djoukou, in Kemo district, a hard-to-reach area located approximately 100 kilometers up the river from the capital Bangui. Communities in this area have little or no access to clean water and use the Oubangui river as their primary source of water. Some of those areas are very difficult, if not impossible, to access by road. Affected people travelling in overcrowded boats have carried the bacteria downstream
In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and partners, UNICEF is providing medicine, clean water, water purification tablets and hygiene kits to the affected communities.
In addition, community mobilizers in the affected areas are educating the public on prevention measures such as drinking only safe water, washing hands with soap, eating cooked food and avoiding open defecation. Community mobilisation is key to prevent the spread of the disease since most of the affected villages have no access to electricity or telephone network.
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