A young patient suffering from acute diarrhea at the Mayotte Hospital Center in Mamoudzou on April 24, 2024. A 25-year-old woman from the Comoros was admitted to the hospital after experiencing severe diarrhea and vomiting. A rapid diagnostic test confirmed the presence of the cholera bacteria. In the neighboring room, a worried mother watched over her 5-year-old son, who was hospitalized the following day with similar symptoms. Despite not having traveled recently, the boy had eaten bananas from East Africa. The doctor in charge implemented a treatment protocol including rehydration solutions and antibiotics while awaiting further test results.
Since the first case of cholera was reported in Mayotte on March 18, a total of thirteen individuals have been identified and treated in the French overseas department. The Regional Health Agency (ARS) of Mayotte announced the emergence of three initial autochthonous cases on April 26. These cases, located in the municipality of Koungou in the north of the island, were likely infected by a symptomatic individual who did not seek medical attention. Prior to these local cases, authorities were primarily concerned about the spread of the bacteria through the arrival of migrants on kwassa-kwassa boats from the neighboring Comorian island of Anjouan, where the number of cases is rapidly increasing.
Statistics from the Ministry of Health of the Union of the Comoros indicate an average of 70 to 90 new cases of cholera per day. As of April 25, Anjouan had recorded 42 deaths, making it the most affected of the three islands in the archipelago with a total of 1,906 cases out of 2,674. The epidemic began in the Comoros in early February after a traveler arrived from Tanzania. Cholera has been reported in twelve countries in East Africa, from Ethiopia to Mozambique and as far as the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since the beginning of 2023, over 240,000 cases have been documented with at least 4,000 deaths according to the World Health Organization.
The outbreak of cholera in the region has led to increased surveillance and preventive measures in Mayotte, with health authorities monitoring potential sources of contamination and providing treatment to those affected. The spread of the disease from neighboring islands and countries demonstrates the interconnected nature of health challenges in the region and the need for coordinated responses to prevent further outbreaks. The health system in Mayotte is working to contain the spread of the disease through early detection, isolation of cases, and effective treatment protocols.
The situation in Mayotte reflects the broader impact of cholera in Africa and underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing public health emergencies. Efforts to control the spread of the disease in Mayotte, the Comoros, and other affected regions are critical to prevent further outbreaks and reduce the burden on healthcare systems. By mobilizing resources, raising awareness, and implementing preventive measures, health authorities can work towards containing and eventually eliminating cholera in the region. Collaboration among countries, organizations, and communities is essential to effectively respond to and mitigate the impact of cholera and other infectious diseases.
