The cholera epidemic of 2004 in Douala, Cameroon: A lesson learned
Journal Title: Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine - Year 2019, Vol 12, Issue 8
Abstract
Objective: To describe the outbreak of 2004 with a view of retrospectively identifying factors that might explain the low case fatality rate. Methods: Outbreak data from 4 915 Cholera patients from registers of the Regional Health Delegation in Douala were analyzed using SPSS. Chi-square test, univariate and multivariate analysis were applied. Results: The outbreak started January 2004, peaking at 187 cases per week in February. After a decrease in April, case numbers rose to 688 cases per week in June. The outbreak was over in September 2004 ( <10 cases per week). The case fatality rate was higher in treatment centers with fewer than one nurse per two patients, than in those with more nursing staff. A temporary staff reduction after the first wave of the epidemic was associated with the increase of the case fatality rate during the second wave. This increase was reversed after re-instating full staff capacity. Conclusions: Providing sufficient nursing staff helps to lower the case fatality rate of cholera. Besides a lack of staff, age above 40 years is a risk factor for death in this disease.
Authors and Affiliations
Christoph Josef Hemmer
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP608652
- DOI 10.4103/1995-7645.262563
- Views 90
- Downloads 0
Phytochemical and ethnopharmacological review of Elephantorrhiza goetzei (Harms) Harms
Elephantorrhiza goetzei (E. goetzei) commonly known as Goetze's elephantorrhiza, is traditionally used as a decoction in the treatment of a variety of conditions such as pain, sores, sexually transmitted infections (STIs...
Phylogeography, genetic variability and structure of Acanthamoeba metapopulations in Iran inferred by 18S ribosomal RNA sequences: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Objective To verify phylogeography and genetic structure of Acanthamoeba populations among the Iranian clinical isolates and natural/artificial environments distributed in various regions of the country. Methods We sea...
Status of intestinal parasitic infections among rural and urban populations, southwestern Iran
Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of intestinal parasitic infections in the urban and rural areas of Shushtar County, southwest Iran. Methods: A total of 1 008 fecal samples were analyzed by direct s...
Clinical study inpatient-reported outcomes after binocular implantation of aspheric intraocular lens of different negative spherical aberrations
Objective: To compare patient-reported outcomes after implantation of the ZA9003 intraocular lens (IOLs), or the MCX11 ASP IOLs or the spherical IOLs (HQ-201HEP). Methods: Prospective nonrandomized controlled trial was u...
Seronegative disseminated Bartonella spp. infection in an immunocompromised patient
An 11 year old, hispanic girl with a history of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia was admitted to the hospital for symptoms compatible with Bartonella henselae infection. The first molecularly diagnosed case of dissemi...