This article describes WHO's efforts to combat a cholera outbreak in South Sudan in July 2017. The organization received 500,000 doses of oral cholera vaccine (OCV) and was working with South Sudan's Ministry of Health to launch a vaccination campaign from July 28 to August 3, 2017. At the time, the... country had reported 17,785 cholera cases and 320 deaths since the outbreak began in June 2016. The vaccination campaign targeted four counties with high transmission rates: Tonj East, Kapoeta South, Kapoeta North, and Kapoeta East. South Sudan was implementing an integrated approach to control cholera, combining patient care, surveillance, social mobilization, water and sanitation improvements, and vaccination. The article notes that approximately 6 million people in South Sudan were facing starvation, with food insecurity and drought exacerbating the risk of cholera spread as people resorted to using contaminated water sources.
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Lancet Glob Health 2016; 4: e856–63. Open Access
The article "Effectiveness of one dose of oral cholera vaccine in response to an outbreak: a case-cohort study" investigates whether a single dose of the Shanchol oral cholera vaccine can provide effective protection during an outbreak. Conducted i...n Juba, South Sudan, in 2015, the study involved a case-cohort approach, analyzing vaccination status and disease outcomes.
Findings showed that a single dose was 80.2% effective in preventing medically attended cholera cases, increasing to 87.3% after adjustments for confounding factors. These results suggest that a single-dose strategy can be an effective emergency response, particularly in settings with limited vaccine supply and high mobility of affected populations. The study supports using a single-dose approach during outbreaks when a two-dose regimen is logistically challenging.
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The WHO webpage on cholera provides an overview of the disease, its causes, and prevention strategies. Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, typically spread through contaminated food or water. It remains a significant global health issue, particularly in a...reas with poor water and sanitation infrastructure.
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Third edition. The International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) provide an overarching legal framework that defines countries’ rights and obligations in handling public health events and emergencies that have the potential to cross borders.
The Interim Guidance on Cholera Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) by the Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GTFCC) provides recommendations for using RDTs to detect cholera in areas with limited laboratory capacity. It highlights the advantages of RDTs, such as rapid detection (within 30 minutes), ea...se of use by non-laboratory personnel, and their role in early outbreak identification and surveillance. However, it emphasizes that RDTs should not replace culture or PCR testing, as they vary in sensitivity (58-100%) and specificity (60-100%). The document advises on proper test selection, storage, training, and integration into national surveillance systems to enhance cholera response efforts.
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Infectious disease outbreaks are frequently characterized by scientific uncertainty, social and institutional disruption, and an overall climate of fear and distrust. Policy makers and public health professionals may be forced to weigh and prioritize potentially competing ethical values in the face ...of severe time and resource constraints. This document seeks to assist policy-makers, health care providers, researchers, and others prepare for outbreak situations by anticipating and preparing for the critical ethical issues likely to arise.
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This document summarizes Haiti's cholera situation as of November 16, 2016. Between January and October 2016, Haiti reported 35,203 new suspected cholera cases (32% increase from 2015) and 369 deaths (56% increase). After Hurricane Matthew, cases rose dramatically, with 52% of new cases concentrated... in Grand'Anse and South departments. Since the 2010 outbreak began, Haiti had experienced 797,000 total cases and 9,353 deaths. The report identifies key factors contributing to cholera persistence: weak water and sanitation infrastructure, limited healthcare access, underfunding, population density, and mobility. Despite concerning trends, humanitarian partners were cautiously optimistic as a feared nationwide outbreak following Hurricane Matthew had not materialized, and a vaccination campaign was underway. However, the cholera response was significantly underfunded, with only 42% of requested funds received.
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La troisième édition du RSI intègre les amendements à l’annexe 7 qui ont été adoptés par la Soixante-Septième Assemblée mondiale de la Santé, par la résolution WHA67.13 (2014). Aux termes de l’annexe 7 modifiée, la durée de la protection conférée par l’administration d’un vacc...in approuvé contre la fièvre jaune, et la validité du certificat de vaccination correspondant, s’étendent à la vie entière du sujet vacciné et ne se limitent plus à 10 ans, comme prévu auparavant.
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En la tercera edición del RSI se recogen las enmiendas al anexo 7 adoptadas por la 67.ª Asamblea Mundial de la Salud en virtud de la resolución WHA67.13 (2014). Con arreglo al anexo 7, en su versión enmendada, la protección contra la fiebre amarilla conferida por la administración de una vacun...a aprobada y la validez del correspondiente certificado son para toda la vida de la persona vacunada y no solo para un periodo de 10 años, como antes.
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The Haiti & Dominican Republic Cholera Operation Plan of Action outlines the Red Cross's strategy to combat cholera on the island of Hispaniola following the 2010 outbreak in Haiti. As part of a 10-year national strategy, the plan includes an initial two-year emergency response (2014-2016) with a bu...dget of 9.9 million Swiss francs. The approach focuses on three key areas: improving water and sanitation by repairing and expanding water systems and constructing sanitation facilities, prevention and hygiene promotion through community education and hygiene training, and preparedness and response by strengthening disease monitoring, training Red Cross volunteers, and prepositioning medical supplies. This initiative, led by the Haitian and Dominican Red Cross in collaboration with international partners and local governments, aims to reduce cholera infections and improve public health on the island.
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Eurosurveillance is a European peer-reviewed scientific journal devoted to the epidemiology, surveillance, prevention and control of communicable diseases, with a focus on such topics that are of relevance to Europe
The WHO Cholera Kits 2020 provide essential medical and logistical supplies for responding to cholera outbreaks. Designed to support the first month of an outbreak, the kits include treatment supplies for 100 patients, laboratory testing materials, investigation tools, and infrastructure components ...for patient care. The six kit types cover central, peripheral, and community-level treatment, along with resources for surveillance and outbreak response. The document also outlines recent modifications, ordering procedures, and recommendations for deployment in high-risk areas.
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The document is a pocket guide for establishing and operating a Cholera Treatment Center (CTC). It provides guidelines on selecting a location, triaging patients based on dehydration severity, infection control measures, and ensuring sufficient medical supplies. The guide emphasizes maintaining hygi...ene, proper waste management, and security while offering detailed protocols for treating moderate and severe cases of cholera. It is intended to support healthcare workers in efficiently managing cholera outbreaks.
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This field workbook supports the implementation of the interagency (FAO, UNICEF, WHO) “Communication for Behavioural Impact (COMBI): A toolkit for behavioural and social communication in outbreak response”. It is a handheld guide and notebook for applying the WHO COMBI methodology in 7-steps, du...ring an outbreak. It is primarily intended for risk communication, developmental communication and health promotion/education personnel working in multidisciplinary teams to investigate and respond to disease outbreaks. It contains essential tools, checklists, and information needed to design effective behavioural and communication interventions in support of outbreak prevention and control objectives - to limit loss of life and minimize disruption to families, communities and societies
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The CDC Self-Study Modules on Tuberculosis are a series of nine educational modules divided into two courses. The first course (Modules 1–5) provides fundamental information about tuberculosis, while the second course (Modules 6–9) offers more specific program-related details. These modules are ...designed for healthcare providers and other professionals who want to expand their knowledge of tuberculosis through self-study.
The modules cover topics such as transmission, pathogenesis, epidemiology, targeted testing, diagnosis, treatment, infection control, patient management, patient rights, contact investigations, and outbreak response. Some modules also offer the opportunity to earn continuing education credits.
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El documento es una guía de bolsillo para establecer y operar un Centro de Tratamiento de Cólera (CTC). Proporciona pautas para seleccionar la ubicación, clasificar a los pacientes según la gravedad de la deshidratación, implementar medidas de control de infecciones y garantizar el suministro a...decuado de materiales médicos. La guía enfatiza la importancia de mantener la higiene, gestionar adecuadamente los desechos y garantizar la seguridad, al tiempo que ofrece protocolos detallados para tratar casos moderados y graves de cólera. Está diseñada para apoyar a los trabajadores de la salud en la gestión eficiente de los brotes de cólera.
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Le document est un guide de poche pour établir et gérer un Centre de Traitement du Choléra (CTC). Il fournit des directives pour choisir l’emplacement, classer les patients selon la gravité de leur déshydratation, mettre en œuvre des mesures de contrôle des infections et garantir un approvi...sionnement adéquat en matériel médical. Le guide met l’accent sur l’importance de maintenir l’hygiène, de gérer correctement les déchets et d’assurer la sécurité, tout en offrant des protocoles détaillés pour traiter les cas modérés et graves de choléra. Il est conçu pour soutenir les professionnels de santé dans la gestion efficace des épidémies de choléra.
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Outil pour la communication comportementale et sociale dans le cadre de la riposte aux flambées épidémiques