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Somalia cholera death fears grow | Somalia cholera death fears grow |
(1 day later) | |
An escalation in violence in Somalia has left many too frightened to seek treatment for cholera, medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres has warned. | An escalation in violence in Somalia has left many too frightened to seek treatment for cholera, medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres has warned. |
It says there could be a "humanitarian crisis" as people flee fighting between Ethiopian-backed troops and Islamist insurgents in the capital Mogadishu. | It says there could be a "humanitarian crisis" as people flee fighting between Ethiopian-backed troops and Islamist insurgents in the capital Mogadishu. |
MSF has called on those fighting to respect the work of aid agencies. | MSF has called on those fighting to respect the work of aid agencies. |
Just over 1,200 patients have reached the cholera treatment centre - but MSF say this is the "tip of the iceberg". | Just over 1,200 patients have reached the cholera treatment centre - but MSF say this is the "tip of the iceberg". |
Cholera is an intestinal infection caused by bacteria - and is often linked to contaminated supplies of drinking water. | |
It causes severe diarrhoea and vomiting, and patients - particularly children and the elderly - are vulnerable to dangerous dehydration as a result. | It causes severe diarrhoea and vomiting, and patients - particularly children and the elderly - are vulnerable to dangerous dehydration as a result. |
Cholera proves fatal in about 1.5% of cases. | Cholera proves fatal in about 1.5% of cases. |
'Deaths increasing' | 'Deaths increasing' |
James Bakti, MSF's assistant medical co-ordinator, warned that the fighting is making things difficult for those seeking and giving treatments. | James Bakti, MSF's assistant medical co-ordinator, warned that the fighting is making things difficult for those seeking and giving treatments. |
If the present situation in Afgooye was to last, we could be faced with a critical humanitarian crisis very rapidly Hugues Robert | If the present situation in Afgooye was to last, we could be faced with a critical humanitarian crisis very rapidly Hugues Robert |
"We still have cholera patients coming to the treatment centre, but the numbers are reducing because of the insecurity. | "We still have cholera patients coming to the treatment centre, but the numbers are reducing because of the insecurity. |
"And we have had deaths because people are coming late. The mortality is increasing." | "And we have had deaths because people are coming late. The mortality is increasing." |
Henry Rodriguez, medical co-ordinator for MSF in Somalia, said: "The health facilities which normally work in Mogadishu are not able to do so due to the violence. | Henry Rodriguez, medical co-ordinator for MSF in Somalia, said: "The health facilities which normally work in Mogadishu are not able to do so due to the violence. |
"It's also impossible for us to carry out preventative measures like supplying clean water or establishing oral rehydration points which would help in preventing the spread of the epidemic." | "It's also impossible for us to carry out preventative measures like supplying clean water or establishing oral rehydration points which would help in preventing the spread of the epidemic." |
In addition, hundreds of thousands are fleeing to safer areas of the country. | In addition, hundreds of thousands are fleeing to safer areas of the country. |
Few supplies | Few supplies |
But MSF officials warn they are heading to places with a general lack of sanitation, where there are no latrines and very little access to drinkable water. | But MSF officials warn they are heading to places with a general lack of sanitation, where there are no latrines and very little access to drinkable water. |
They are also worried that basic health services and shelter cannot be provided. | They are also worried that basic health services and shelter cannot be provided. |
Most people fled without food or with very few supplies and MSF say rises in local prices might create further health problems as nutrition deteriorates. | Most people fled without food or with very few supplies and MSF say rises in local prices might create further health problems as nutrition deteriorates. |
In Afgooye, a former university campus west of Mogadishu, about 50,000 people are seeking refuge. | In Afgooye, a former university campus west of Mogadishu, about 50,000 people are seeking refuge. |
Others have found shelter in the Lafolle university buildings, some 10 kilometres from Afgooye, while others are living under precarious shelters or even under trees alongside roads. | Others have found shelter in the Lafolle university buildings, some 10 kilometres from Afgooye, while others are living under precarious shelters or even under trees alongside roads. |
Among these people there are already signs that the health situation is rapidly deteriorating - 401 cases of watery diarrhoea have been reported, including 13 fatalities. | Among these people there are already signs that the health situation is rapidly deteriorating - 401 cases of watery diarrhoea have been reported, including 13 fatalities. |
Charity staff managed to reach the area on the April 17 and supplied medicines to existing health facilities. | Charity staff managed to reach the area on the April 17 and supplied medicines to existing health facilities. |
They are also working with other organisations to provide safe drinking water. | They are also working with other organisations to provide safe drinking water. |
But MSF says despite bringing in 48,000 litres of clean water every day to those in Afgooye, it is still too little. | But MSF says despite bringing in 48,000 litres of clean water every day to those in Afgooye, it is still too little. |
In recent weeks, the area has seen an influx of between 800 and 1,000 people a day, and more are expected to come if the violence continues in and around the Somali capital. | In recent weeks, the area has seen an influx of between 800 and 1,000 people a day, and more are expected to come if the violence continues in and around the Somali capital. |
Hugues Robert, head of the emergency desk, at MSF, said: "If the present situation in Afgooye was to last, we could be faced with a critical humanitarian crisis very rapidly," he said. | Hugues Robert, head of the emergency desk, at MSF, said: "If the present situation in Afgooye was to last, we could be faced with a critical humanitarian crisis very rapidly," he said. |
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