Cholera outbreak kills 271 in Sierra Leone

As of Sunday, 18,508 cases of cholera and 271 deaths have been reported in the Sierra Leone cholera outbreak since the beginning of the year, according to a WHO report.

Most of the cases have been reported in the Western area of the country, near the capital of Freetown. The Ministry of Health and Sanitation has teamed with national and international partners to increase response to the outbreak. They are putting emphasis on detecting cases early and providing treatment on time to prevent deaths. People with cholera are receiving service at cholera treatment units, where available. In other locations, specific areas in health facilities are being designated as isolation areas.

Nationally, the Cholera Command and Control Center (C4) is providing technical advice and is monitoring the outbreak, helping to bring the epidemic under control. Internationally, WHO and others are supporting the government. The International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh, has been deployed to assist health care workers and laboratory technicians.

WHO did not recommend any travel or trade restrictions with the country.