DRC Grapples with Dramatic Surge in Cholera Cases
(MENAFN) The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is grappling with a dramatic rise in cholera infections, now affecting 17 out of its 36 provinces. Since the start of the year, health officials have confirmed over 35,000 cases, signaling an urgent public health crisis.
During a briefing in Kinshasa on Monday evening, Public Health Minister Roger Kamba emphasized that the country is still entrenched in the "acute phase" of the outbreak.
ACUTE PHASE
"Being in the acute phase means that we are still seeing the number of cases rising," Kamba said.
Cholera, a disease entrenched in parts of eastern Congo for more than 50 years, is accelerating its spread—particularly in Kinshasa, the capital city home to over 17 million residents.
"Cholera arrived in our country in 1973, and since then, it has never left. It has remained mostly in the eastern regions," the minister explained.
Kamba elaborated, "From time to time, the disease resurfaces as an epidemic. More often, it's endemic -- meaning there is a constant presence of cases in some areas, although they are quickly contained." "However, sometimes it leads to large-scale outbreaks."
Currently, Tshopo province reports the highest infection numbers, followed closely by Kinshasa, South Kivu, Maniema, and North Kivu. Authorities are also concerned about isolated cases emerging in central provinces, signaling potential further spread.
The national fatality rate from cholera has climbed to 3 percent, with Kinshasa previously seeing peaks as high as 9 percent.
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