Cholera in Guinea: The Implication for Safe Water Sources and Sanitations

Abstract

Objectives: To lay stress upon the importance of adequate water and sanitation in the prevention of cholera in Guinea. Methods: The data on deaths and cases of cholera in Guinea from 2000 to 2011 were downloaded from the WHO Official website. The data on deaths and cases of cholera outbreak which occurred in Guinea from 02 February to 15 October 2012 were collected from the Guinean Ministry of Public Health. The cholera index case is confirmed by a laboratory test. Cholera cases were defined as individuals over one year old who had had watery stools with or without vomiting. Cholera incidence and case fatality rates between different areas of cholera occurrence in the country over time were computed. Results: Over the overall 12-year period (2000-2012), the case fatality rate showed a somewhat sign of slight rising trend when the incidence rates increased rapidly. During the seven consecutive years of cholera outbreaks in Guinea, between 2003 and 2009, the most affected areas were Conakry, Dubreka, Coyah, Boffa, Forécariah, Guékédou, Dalaba and Télimélé. In 2012, Cholera outbreak resulted in an incidence rate of 23.23 per 10,000 population and a case fatality ratio (CFR) of approximately 1.8%. Cases and deaths were reported in 12 prefectures out of 34: Conakry, Coyah, Forecariah, Fria, Boffa, Dubréka, Boké, Mamou, Kindia, Kankan, Kerouané and Dabola. Conclusion: Cholera is an important health problem in Guinea. Any earnest attempts to improve water and sanitation alongside with promotion of good hygienic practices will likely ward off the threat of cholera in the country.