UNICEF Comoros response to cholera
UNICEF works with national authorities to protect children and vulnerable communities
At the end of January 2024, rumours spread throughout Moroni, the capital of the Union of the Comoros, and across social media networks regarding passengers on a boat from Tanzania who had just arrived in Moroni and exhibiting symptoms of strange illness characterized by diarrhea and vomiting. Rumor has it that one of them even died. The Ministry of Health, alerted to the situation, immediately disinfected the boat, and carried out investigations to identify the illness, which resembled cholera. Laboratory tests subsequently confirmed that it was indeed cholera. The Ministry of Health immediately declared an epidemic in the country.
By February 2nd, seven people had tested positive for cholera, mainly passengers from the boat and close contacts. Unfortunately, cholera is a highly contagious disease, and a few days later, additional cases were identified, affecting community members and families, including children.
Zakaria, a resident of Moroni, saw his three children contract the disease, one after the other, from the initial days of the epidemic.
“My eldest son, aged 13, started showing signs of the disease, diarrhea and vomiting on a Friday morning.”
“I immediately called the civil security services (COSEP), who took charge of his transport to Samba hospital, where he received urgent medical attention. Two days later, on Saturday and Sunday, both my younger son and daughter showed similar symptoms and were also admitted to the cholera treatment center at Samba hospital. I instinctively had the reflex to seek medical assistance for my children, so that they could receive treatment immediately. I’ve heard tragic stories of parents who, out of fear or ignorance of the disease, delayed action, resulting in the loss of their loved ones at home from severe dehydration caused by vomiting and diarrhea. I couldn't bear the thought of such a fate for my children," he shared with a heavy heart.
During an epidemic, rumors, misinformation, and a lack of knowledge about the disease can have an impact on people's behavior and cause loss of life if not addressed promptly. Some households may also resist the entry of intervention teams to decontaminate their homes and provide essentials supplies and preventive measures to halt the spread of the disease, as part of Cluster Area Targeted Interventions (CATI).
To combat this, the Ministry of Health, in partnership with UNICEF, is deploying a risk communication and community engagement approach to ensure that the population is informed about how to reduce the risk of the disease transmission, practice personal protection and prevention measures, and seek immediate medical assistance if symptoms arise.
In addition, with the support of UNICEF and its partners, including the Comorian Red Crescent, CATI teams have been deployed daily across Ngazidja, Ndzuani and Mwali to reduce the transmission of cholera, reaching more than 1,700 households. UNICEF has also provided medical supplies to cholera treatment centres, making it possible to treat more than 200 patients in Ndzuani alone.
While the cholera epidemic persists in the Comoros, UNICEF remains steadfast in its commitment to mitigating the spread of the disease within communities, and protecting children, such as Zakaria’s, from dying from the disease.
