CHOLERA OUTBREAK IN TOGO

UNCLAS LOME 000024


DEPT FOR OES

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SOCI PGOV TO
SUBJECT: CHOLERA OUTBREAK IN TOGO


1. Summary. The GOT announced on December 21 that cholera had
been discovered in Togo. While only a handful of deaths have
been reported, many people have been diagnosed with the
disease. The government held a press conference to mobilize
interested parties and discuss strategies for preventing the
further spread of the disease. Overall, however, very little
public official attention has been paid to this outbreak. End
Summary.


2. During a December 21 press conference, Ministry of Health
representatives said the first case of cholera in Togo was
discovered August 26, 2008, and during the following three
month period there were 302 registered cases and 3 deaths.
Since that time, an additional 366 cases have been
discovered, and 2 more people have died. In the last two
weeks, the number of new cases has declined. The Minister of
Health, Komlan Mally, told reporters that many neighborhoods
in Lome have been touched and named those most affected,
several of which are close to the embassy and embassy
employee housing.


3. The government warned that cholera is easily
transmittable, dangerous, and often fatal. Ministry officials
noted that factors favoring the spread of cholera include a
lack of potable water, poor personal hygiene, bad nutrition,
and the environment in neighborhoods. To fight the further
spread of the disease, they recommended close management of
existing cases, and paying more attention to personal
hygiene.

HAWKINS