Cholera in Guinea: epidemiology, fighting and prevention
The objective. Epidemiological analysis of cholera outbreaks on the territory of Guinea over the period 1970-2014 and a characteristic of measures undertaken for fighting and prevention. Materials and methods. Material for study were statistical reports of health authorities of Guinea between 1970 to 2014, and also data obtained during epidemiological examination of cholera outbreaks by the Institut Pasteur of Guinea (IPG). Laboratory diagnosis of the causative agent of cholera was made by standard bacteriological methods. Molecular-biological analysis of the isolated strains of the causative agent was performed in the Centre FARO Marseille (France). Results. During the period from 1970 to 2014 94 302 individuals fell ill, 3495 died, lethality - 3.7%. Cholera causative agent Vibrio cholerae O, biotype El Tor serovar Ogawa were repeatedly isolated from patients. Molecular-biological analysis showed that the isolated strains were genotype 2А. Before 1994, the periodicity of outbreaks was about 8 years. Outbreaks occurred in the Atlantic coastal area of the country and in the capital - the city of Conakry. Later on, cholera outbreaks were noted also in the continental part of the country due to active migration of the population. The following measures were undertaken for fighting and prevention: organization of centres for cholera management, early parenteral rehydration, disinfection of water sources, mobilization of local authorities and medical enlightenment of the population. Conclusion. At present, cholera is endemic infection for Guinea. Fighting against this disease should be part of an integral fight with diarrhoeal diseases. But in the first place efforts are needed to improve the social economic and hygienic conditions of the life of people in the country. Strong epidemiological control over diseases with diarrhoeal syndrome is necessary both during ourbreaks and in the periods between epidemics.