Cholera Prevention Campaign Launched in Douala

The fight against cholera has once again come in the limelight in the Littoral as risk factors persist. Although no specific cholera case has been registered, the campaign launched on Thursday, March 14, in Douala is a part of efforts to sustain prevention by holding educative and awareness-raising sessions with the communities, as well as disseminate sensitisation messages.

The activity in Douala is part of a nation-wide campaign by the Ministry of Public Health, whose objectives are to disseminate cholera prevention messages and water treatment and purification techniques through various communication tools. One of such tools is a visual spot set up by the Ministry of Communication in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health which will be diffused across the media.

Prior to the launch last Thursday, the Regional Committee for the Fight against Epidemics in the Littoral had an extraordinary meeting chaired by the Governor of the Littoral Region and President of the Committee, Joseph Beti Assomo, at the Conference Hall of the Governor's Office.

In the afternoon the Committee proceeded with the launching of the campaign in the health districts of Nylon, Brazzaville and Douala II Subdivision identified with high amounts of cholera-friendly factors. The campaign trail held educative sessions with the community as well as distributed fliers bearing prevention messages. Focus is on how to protect and purify water around wells and other sources in all health districts of the region, the necessity of disinfecting the premises where water is being fetched and distribute cholera prevention stickers to all travel agencies in the region.

Littoral Regional Delegate of Public Health, Yamba Beyas Martin, said the campaign launch is not an indication of a renewed outbreak but that it is in line with efforts to sustain prevention efforts since risk factors are still very present. He was referring to the weak observation of hygienic roles, absence or inadequate treatment of potable water, as well as insufficient water and sanitation infrastructure.

By 2010 to 2012, cholera had affected the 10 regions of the country. About 35,000 persons were infected and 1,500 deaths recorded - the highest ever in 4 decades. Following efforts by government, the cholera infection dropped from 6.4% in 2010 to 3.6% in 2011, then 3.2% in 2012. But the campaign is motivated by persistence of factors favouring the spread of cholera like slow observation of hygienic roles, insufficient water and sanitation infrastructure, among others.