Timely response and containment of 2022 Cholera outbreak along lake Tanganyika in Kigoma region, Tanzania

Abstract

Abstract Background Cholera outbreaks have been reported worldwide, causing excessive health and economic burdens. From January 2023 to March 2024, about 824,479 cholera cases and 5,900 cholera deaths were reported by 31 countries, Tanzania being among them. The Kigoma region reported cholera outbreaks with limited scientific information on management of those outbreaks. This study aims at informing the interventions implemented to contain the cholera outbreak that occurred in 2022 along Lake Tanganyika in the Kigoma region, Tanzania. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted from 1st June 2022 to 30th January 2023 in the Kigoma region. The study included all the cholera cases reported from 14th April 2022 to 22nd May 2022 at Kalya Ward, in Kigoma Region. Epidemiological and clinical information was collected from cholera line list. Information regarding response interventions was extracted from regional situational reports and the outbreak report, categorized based on the public health emergency response pillars. The statistical analysis was done using Stata Software, and the map was drawn using QGIS. Results The outbreak lasted for 40 days, from April 2022 to May 2022, with 126 cholera cases and zero deaths reported. The cases were reported from three villages along the lakeshore of Lake Tanganyika, Sibwesa village being the most affected, with an attack rate of 1.5%. The multisectoral response was timely initiated, and cases were actively searched, reported, tested, and treated promptly. Improvements in water, hygiene, and sanitation were accompanied by risk communication and community engagement. Conclusion The cholera outbreak was timely detected and rapidly contained, involving multisector and multidiscipline stakeholders in implementing interventions across response pillars. Proper documentation of response activities during the outbreak is essential in learning, planning, and implementing cholera preparedness and response interventions.