Cholera outbreaks in Cameroon are intensifying due to climate change, as evidenced by the recent outbreak in November 2024 affecting families in Douggoï. Flooding compromised water quality, while poor sanitation systems exacerbated health risks. Multi-sectoral efforts involving community health workers and public health strategies aim to counteract the epidemic’s spread amidst ongoing climate challenges.
In November 2024, a cholera outbreak struck the Abba Gana family in Douggoï, Cameroon, highlighting the devastating interplay between climate change and public health. Abba Gana and both his wives fell ill within 72 hours, with symptoms including severe stomach pain and diarrhoea. Community members, such as Habiba, Abba Gana’s wife, recall the horror as others like their niece faced life-threatening symptoms but received treatment at local hospitals.
The outbreak began on November 8, 2024, when four family members were diagnosed with cholera. The regional health authorities confirmed a total of 127 cases and two deaths by the end of the reporting period, although the situation began stabilizing towards the year’s end. Dr. Mairousgou Tchida Céline noted that no new cases had arisen in the weeks leading to December, indicating progress.
Severe flooding from August to October 2024 exacerbated the cholera risk by contaminating water supplies. Poor sanitation and limited access to safe water heighten cholera transmission risks, especially in regions hosting many refugees. Eugene Nforngwa explained how the fragile climate creates a cycle where floods lead to contamination while droughts decrease access to clean water.
Cameroon’s Far North has witnessed cholera outbreaks regularly since 2010, with exacerbated conditions due to climate change noted by Patrick Forghab Mbomba. The region’s infrastructure suffers during floods, while dry seasons worsen hygiene practices due to water scarcity. Both factors significantly raise cholera transmission risks, highlighting an urgent need for coordinated responses.
To combat this outbreak, over 200 community health workers have been deployed for awareness-raising and sanitation measures in Maroua’s worst-hit areas. They distribute awareness materials and free sanitation products while also advocating for safe drinking water practices. Yaya Mohamadou Bouba emphasized resource gaps impacting waste disposal efforts.
The regional health authorities are educating families on purifying water with chlorine or boiling methods. Dr. Hamadou Bava Boubakary highlighted the multi-sectoral approach required for public health, involving government collaboration. Community measures encourage a preventative focus on cleanliness and water safety.
Experts assert that an integrated approach addressing both cholera and climate change is critical. Eugene Nforngwa emphasized the importance of investment in disease surveillance and building climate-resilient water systems. Additionally, local communities must protect water sources and adapt to environmental challenges through participatory decision-making.
The cholera outbreak in Cameroon demonstrates the complex relationship between climate change and public health, illustrating pressing needs for improved infrastructure, community education, and comprehensive health systems to mitigate disease risks. The situation reveals deep vulnerabilities exacerbated by environmental factors demanding urgent attention at all levels.
Cholera outbreaks in Cameroon, particularly in the Far North, are increasingly influenced by climate change. Regular flooding and droughts significantly affect water sanitation, heightening the risks of waterborne diseases such as cholera. This region has faced similar health crises every two years since 2010, directly correlating with climatic shifts and their resultant impacts on public health infrastructures. Understanding these dynamics is critical in addressing both environmental and health challenges simultaneously.
The cholera epidemic in Cameroon highlights the urgent need for integrated health and climate responses. Addressing the root causes, such as poor water management and sanitation, alongside community awareness, is pivotal in preventing future outbreaks. A proactive stance on climate adaptation and resilient health systems is essential to combat similar crises effectively.
Original Source: www.gavi.org
