Communities of practice
Disaster Relief Emergency Fund's report on epidemic cholera in Senegal
24 Sep 2008
Paul Chinnock
Source: ReliefWeb
(see original article
)
In October 2007 Senegal experienced an outbreak of cholera. Eight of the country's 11 regions were affected. At the end of October 2007, the Ministry of Public Health reported 2,825 cases of cholera and 16 deaths, over 80% of which were in the region of Diourbel, located in the centre-west of Senegal.
The Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) provided support to the Senegalese Red Cross Society (SRCS), which played a key role in the response to the outbreak. DREF has now published a report of its experience: DREF Operation no. MDRSN001; GLIDE no. EP-2007-000187-SEN.
Despite many efforts, several epidemics of cholera in Senegal have succeeded one another. According to the report, high population density, non-potable drinking water, and non-compliancy with basic hygiene rules are the main factors of cholera spread in these communities. In the holy city of Touba in Diourbel region, water shortages, frequent religious gatherings with massive population movements, and rapid spontaneous habitation, characterized by a complete lack of drinking water and excreta disposal, compound the risks.
The SRCS as a strategic partner in managing the epidemic has developed a project partly supported by the IFRC. The SRCS as an auxiliary to the government carried out preventive awareness campaigns and mobilized the community to respond to contagious diseases.
The seven-page report is available as a PDF.
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