Preventing another cholera epidemic

A cholera epidemic in Chad in 2010-2011 was the largest to hit the country in the last 15 years, with more than 17, 000 registered cases. Over the last year, MSF treated more than 12,700 patients – approximately three quarters of all the cases in the country. In order to prevent another emergency, there must be improved access to uncontaminated water and sanitation facilities. Project Update - 11 Jan 2012

Central African Republic

Mortality rate in Central African Republic reaches an emergency level

The Central African Republic (CAR) is in the grip of a chronic medical emergency. Four mortality studies conducted by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in the past 18 months reveal crude mortality rates in some regions are at three times the emergency threshold level, which is considered a humanitarian crisis. Report - 13 Dec 2011

Cholera

Cholera epidemic - MSF supports overwhelmed local health authorities

A cholera epidemic has spread across all districts of Cameroon’s economic capital, Douala, home to 2.1 million people. The epidemic, which was officially declared 14 months ago, in September 2010, has peaked and troughed a number of times. In March and April, during the short rainy season, cholera peaked with an average of 120 cases per week. But since September the number of cases has been increasing further, with more than 400 cases per week reported in mid-October. Project Update - 28 Nov 2011

Somalia

Uphill challenge to fight diseases in Marere

MSF is currently battling outbreaks of cholera and measles in and around the town of Marere in southern Somalia. Over the past few weeks, more than 80 cases of cholera have been treated. MSF is also preventing further infections by hygiene promotion and chlorination of water wells. Project Update - 13 Sep 2011

Democratic Republic of Congo

As cholera epidemic spreads in DRC, MSF opens emergency treatment centres along Congo river

The three major factors that promote the spread of cholera are all currently present in DRC: dense urban population; a lack of hygiene and little access to clean water; and the confirmed presence of the disease in several locations. In a country where the health system is faltering, this outbreak comes at a time when several other medical emergencies are already causing havoc, in particular a measles epidemic that is raging in several provinces. Project Update - 4 Jul 2011

Meningitis

Meningitis vaccine for 607,000 people in rural Chad

Thanks to the vaccine, the people of Laokassi, Moundou, Melfi, Kelo, Benoye and Kroumla should be protected against the disease for the next three years. Nonetheless, for the inhabitants of a country where meningitis is endemic, such as Chad, the new vaccine, which offers five years’ protection, cannot come soon enough. Project Update - 22 Apr 2011

Democratic Republic of Congo

'Measles epidemic spiralling out of control' according to MSF

Over the past six months a measles epidemic has been sweeping through the Democratic Republic of Congo. MSF is raising the alarm and calling for concerted action to halt the spread of the disease. Project Update - 28 Mar 2011

Cholera

Cholera cases declining in Haiti but vigilance continues

MSF is preparing to reposition its response to the cholera epidemic in Haiti. In the coming weeks, the international medical aid organization will hand over responsibility for treating cholera patients to other national and international actors capable of assuming that task. Project Update - 24 Feb 2011

Kala azar

Fighting kala azar in southern Sudan

Kala azar—or visceral leishmaniasis—is a treatable but largely neglected disease. Southern Sudan is currently facing a massive kala azar epidemic. This is a region where three-quarters of the population has no access to basic medical care, and the health system is unable to deal with an emergency on this scale. Project Update - 10 Feb 2011

South Sudan

Southern Sudan's forgotten emergencies

It is a cruel irony for the people of Southern Sudan that the whole world is now fully focused on the potential fallout of this weekend’s referendum on secession from the North, while the ongoing emergencies facing the region since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) six years ago were all but ignored. Opinion - 7 Jan 2011

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

Independent medical humanitarian assistance

We provide medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare. Our teams are made up of tens of thousands of health professionals, logistic and administrative staff - most of them hired locally. Our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of independence and impartiality. We are a non-profit, self-governed, member-based organisation.

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