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Published:
Dec 27, 2023DOI:
10.4314/ahs.v23i4.23Keywords:
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Main Article Content
Rapid cholera outbreak control following catastrophic landslides and floods: A case study of Bududa district, Uganda
Abstract
Background: In June 2019, landslides and floods in Bududa district, eastern Uganda, claimed lives and led to a cholera outbreak. The affected communities had inadequate access to clean water and sanitation.
Objective: To share the experience of controlling a cholera outbreak in Bududa district, after landslides and floods.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in which outbreak investigation reports, weekly epidemiological data and disaster response reports were reviewed.
Results: On 4 – 5th June 2019, heavy rainfall resulted in four landslides which caused six fatalities, 27 injuries, floods and displaced 480 persons. Two weeks later, a cholera outbreak was confirmed in Bududa district. The Ministry of Health (MoH) rapidly deployed oral cholera vaccine (OCV) from local reserves and mass vaccinated 93% of the target population in 22 affected parishes. The outbreak was controlled in 10 weeks with 67 cholera cases and 1 death reported. However, WaSH conditions remained poor, with only, 24.2 % (879/3,628) of the households with washable latrines, 26.8% (1,023/3,818) had hand-washing facilities with soap and 33.6% (1617/4807) used unsafe water.
Conclusion: The OCV stockpile by the MoH helped Uganda to control cholera promptly in Bududa district. High-risk countries should keep OCV reserves for emergencies.
