KIGALI (Dawan Africa) – Chad received 1.1 million cholera vaccine doses from the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF on Thursday, as the country struggles to contain an outbreak that has killed 75 people in its eastern provinces.
The vaccines will be used in a campaign scheduled from September 2 to 8 across five health districts in Sila and Ouaddai, according to Mahamat Hamit Ahmat, Deputy Secretary-General at the Ministry of Public Health and Prevention.
Chadian authorities declared the epidemic on July 13, following a surge in infections caused by contaminated water and food supplies. Flooding and poor sanitation have been cited as key factors in the spread of the disease.
Cholera has also affected several other African countries this year, including Sudan, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Globally, the WHO reports more than 390,000 cases and over 4,300 deaths across 31 countries since January.
Health officials in Chad say the mass vaccination drive is expected to reduce transmission and prevent further fatalities.
Source: Anadolu Agency (AA)