Kinshasa, July 20th, 2025 (CPA).– The cholera epidemic remains a serious concern, with outbreaks reported in several provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Recent data show an increase in cases in several health zones across the country. In an interview with CPA, Dr Jean-Paul Matela, provincial health division head (DPS) of Kwilu, in the south-west of the country, discusses the epidemiological situation in his province.
Question 1: Is it true that the city of Bandundu is threatened by the cholera epidemic?
Answer: Yes, since July 1st this year (27th epidemiological week), health areas have reported cases and deaths of patients showing signs of cholera. To date, we have recorded 18 new suspected cases in the health areas of Lwani, Trois Rivières, Dima-Lumbu, Basoko 2 and Musaba. The first cases are people who have stayed in villages in neighboring Mai-Ndombe along the Kasai River.
Question 2: Have you already recorded any deaths?
Answer: Unfortunately, we have recorded five deaths out of the 25 cases recorded, including four people who died at home. Their bodies were handled by their relatives, whom we consider to be contacts, and we are monitoring them closely. There was one last death recorded, unfortunately as soon as the patient arrived at the treatment Centre (CTC), and the deceased are buried with dignity, with respect and protection for their family members.
Question 3: What are the authorities in Kwilu Province planning to do to stop this epidemic?
Answer: At this stage, we have trained health personnel in the Bandundu health zone to monitor cholera, and they are the ones on the front line, receiving patients and immediately reporting cases to the central office of the health zone. We have also trained community relays who are deployed in the field to raise awareness with megaphones, with the support of the Bandundu town hall, which is providing the batteries to power these megaphones. The emergency operations management Centre has been activated, even though the laboratory has not yet confirmed the epidemic. Analysis meetings are held regularly and guidelines are issued. The cholera treatment Centre has been opened and cases are being treated free of charge, despite the cost involved. Imagine 6 liters of fluid that must be given to a patient every day, including antibiotics.
Personal protective equipment for staff and disinfection of contaminated areas are provided. In the coming days, the laboratory will give us the results of the samples sent, and the provincial authority will declare the province to be in a cholera epidemic. In the meantime, we are asking the population to report any cases of diarrhea and vomiting to the emergency health Centre and to take hygiene measures: hand hygiene, drinking treated water, eating hot food, washing hands with clean water. We ask our fellow fishermen to avoid drinking river water, to boil water or treat it with tablets. ACP/