Cholera cases in DR Congo climb to 138 as death toll hits 11

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) - Cholera cases have climbed in South Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo more than a week since the outbreak of the disease, health officials said Sunday.

“Currently, the number of cases has reached 138, up from 96, with 11 deaths registered across 14 health zones out of the 22 we have,” Olivier Kabarata, the chief medical officer in the Kitutu health zone in Mwenga territory, told reporters, adding the absence of concrete action to address the issue of a lack of safe water in the area is raising fears of a further spread of the disease.

Kabarata said that while the spread has slowed in some health areas, the situation is worsening in the Mapale health zone.

“The consequences are such that the populations may suffer from it. So far, there are no major actions for the treatment of water. The area has no developed water sources. There are no water catchments,” added Kabarata.

Mwenga territory administrator Bundya Kiwasi first announced the disease outbreak on Sept. 7 in the health zones of Matebo, Busakizi, Hope, Nyamibungu and Mapale before it spread to the Kitutu health zone.

In June, health officials reported a cholera outbreak in North Kivu province, where 59 cases and one death were recorded.