WHO warns of heightening risk of cholera spillover amid ongoing conflict in Congo
Situation in Goma particularly dire, with fighting damaging water and electricity systems, forcing residents to rely on unsafe sources like lake water, says emergency response coordinator
By Beyza Binnur Donmez
GENEVA (AA) - The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday warned of a growing risk of cholera spreading to neighboring provinces and countries from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as conflict devastates critical infrastructure and creates fertile ground for infectious disease outbreaks.
"There is a heightened risk for spillover of cholera into neighboring countries and provinces within the DRC. We have seen this before," Adelheid Marschang, the WHO emergency response coordinator for Congo, said in response to Anadolu's question during a UN briefing.
The situation in Goma is particularly dire, with fighting damaging the water and electricity systems, forcing residents to rely on unsafe sources like lake water, Marschang stressed, adding that this, in turn, has amplified the risk of a cholera outbreak.
She noted that large-scale vaccination campaigns have provided some immunity, with one of the largest oral cholera vaccine (OCV) campaigns conducted in Dec. 2023. In early 2024, one million additional vaccine doses were delivered to the region just before airport closures.
However, further vaccination plans remain uncertain due to the ongoing violence, she noted.
Regarding the attacks on health care workers and facilities, she said, "Sadly, hospitals and health workers are in danger."
"We are hearing reports of health workers being shot at and patients, including babies, being caught in the crossfire," she said. "WHO reminds everyone that attacks on health care violate the rules of war. Health care must be protected at all times."
The conditions in eastern Congo are ideal for the spread of infectious diseases beyond cholera, the coordinator underscored, including measles and mpox, exacerbated by the destruction of infrastructure and mass displacement.
"With people again on the move, and infrastructure such as water stations and electricity grids damaged, the conditions are rife for the spread of infectious diseases like cholera and measles," she said.
North and South Kivu alone reported 21,672 cases of cholera and 59 deaths last year, along with 11,710 measles cases and 115 deaths, according to Marschang. The region is also at the epicenter of an outbreak of a new mpox strain, declared a public health emergency of international concern in August 2024.
Over 20,000 suspected mpox cases have been reported from North and South Kivu, with more than 6,000 in the last six weeks, she said.
Regarding efforts to track and treat diseases, she said they are "severely hindered" by the violence and constant movement of affected populations.
"Malaria continues to be a major killer in the region," she added.
"Over one in four people living in the region is facing emergency levels of food insecurity and risk of hunger (IPC 3+), with many people malnourished and weak in the face of disease," she said.
The M23 rebel group, allegedly backed by Rwanda, recently intensified its offensive in eastern Congo, capturing key towns, and is reported to be advancing toward Goma, the capital of North Kivu.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has repeatedly denied claims of supporting the rebels.
Congo authorities said Friday that the military governor of North Kivu province, Maj. Gen. Peter Cirimwami, died from injuries sustained during fighting on the front line.
The M23 said they are fighting to defend the interests of minority Congolese Tutsis, who are reportedly discriminated against in Congo for their ethnic links to Rwanda’s Tutsi community.
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