Abstract

Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with Vibrio cholerae. In early September 2022, Niger experienced an outbreak of this disease, with a total of 39 cases and one death (2.56%) reported in Madarounfa. Building on lessons learned from previous epidemics and leveraging the new Health Emergency Management Project (AVoHC-SURGE) in Niger, the quality of response interventions was strengthened to end the epidemic. A descriptive study of cholera cases recorded from September 1st to 24th, 2022, was conducted, during which an AVoHC-SURGE team was deployed with a mobile laboratory for the first time. A One Health team carried out additional case searches in villages and health facilities, conducted patient interviews, and performed a literature review. Stool samples were collected, and water samples were taken for analysis. Linear lists of cases and their contacts were compiled, and Epi Info 7.2 and Excel® were used for analysis. A total of 39 cases, including one death, were recorded, with a case fatality rate of 2.56%. Females represented 53.85% of cases, and the age group 5 to 14 years was the most affected (46.15%). The village of Madarounfa was particularly impacted (87.18%), and unvaccinated individuals constituted the majority of cases (58.97%). The population lived in crowded conditions, relied on surface water for consumption, and practiced open defecation in some villages. This cholera outbreak marked the first use of trained rapid response teams in Niger following the implementation of the AVoHC-SURGE project. A prompt response within 48 h helped break the transmission chain of V. cholerae and contain the outbreak.

Key words: Outbreak, Cholera, response, Niger.