1998 - Cholera in the Great Lakes Region 22 October 1998 Disease
Outbreak Reported Since May 1998, Rwanda has been been suffering
from a cholera outbreak with a total of 2900 cases and 55
deaths, most of which were reported in September. All these
cases have been in Cyangugu prefecture, but there is great
concern about further spread to other areas of the country. WHO
is providing cholera kits to Kigali, Rwanda and with other
international organizations is working closely with the Ministry
of Health on prevention and control measures. Cholera has also
badly affected the eastern areas of the Democratic Republic of
Congo. Although exact figures are not available, the situation
in the Shabunda area of Sud-Kivu remains grave. The current
deteriorating security situation in the area has affected
control activities and the transport of supplies to treatment
centres. The Great Lakes Region was ravaged by a dramatic
cholera epidemic in 1994-1995 during the massive displacement of
refugees provoked by the civil war in