80,000 Children Face Risk of Cholera Infection in West, Central Africa
(MENAFN) As the rainy season kicks off across West and Central Africa, approximately 80,000 children face a heightened risk of cholera infection, the UN children’s agency UNICEF warned Wednesday.
The agency highlighted ongoing outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria as major catalysts increasing the chance of the disease spreading, with a serious threat of cross-border transmission to neighboring nations.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the worst-affected country in the region, health authorities reported over 38,000 cholera cases and 951 fatalities in July alone. Children under five represented 25.6% of those infected, according to UNICEF data.
Several other countries including Chad, the Republic of Congo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Togo are also battling cholera outbreaks.
UNICEF stressed the urgent necessity to intensify prevention and containment efforts throughout the region to curb further transmission.
“Heavy rains, widespread flooding and the high level of displacement are all fueling the risk of cholera transmission and putting the lives of children at risk,” said UNICEF regional director for West and Central Africa Gilles Fagninou.
“With access to safe water and hygiene conditions already dire, urgent action is needed. This is a matter of survival,” Fagninou added.
Young children are especially vulnerable due to poor sanitation, unsafe water supplies, and an increased risk of severe dehydration from the disease.
To strengthen its emergency response in the coming three months, UNICEF West and Central Africa urgently requires $20 million to deliver essential support in combating the outbreak.
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