Recurrent cholera epidemics in Africa: which way forward? A literature review

Background Outbreaks of cholera in Africa seem to be unrelenting which has been continuous and recurrent leading to high morbidity and mortality in some quarters. Objective The objective of this narrative review is to investigate and identify factors responsible for the recurrent outbreaks of choler...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Infection 2019-06, Vol.47 (3), p.341-349
Main Authors: Ajayi, Abraham, Smith, Stella I.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Africa - epidemiology
Cholera
Cholera - epidemiology
Cholera - prevention & control
Climate change
Disease control
Disease Outbreaks - prevention & control
Epidemics
Epidemics - prevention & control
Family Medicine
General Practice
Health Policy
Humans
Infectious Diseases
Internal Medicine
Literature reviews
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Migration
Morbidity
Outbreaks
Political factors
Review
Reviews
Risk analysis
Risk factors
Scientific papers
Search engines
Social factors
Socioeconomic data
Socioeconomic factors
Socioeconomics
Waterborne diseases
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Summary:Background Outbreaks of cholera in Africa seem to be unrelenting which has been continuous and recurrent leading to high morbidity and mortality in some quarters. Objective The objective of this narrative review is to investigate and identify factors responsible for the recurrent outbreaks of cholera in Africa and response strategies that have been employed in curbing the problem, with the view of aggregating otherwise sparing data needed for policy formulation geared towards control and eradication of the disease. Methods Search of literatures indexed in Google Scholar, PubMed and AJOL databases was carried out. Sixty-five eligible articles with reports on the risk factors that drive recurrent outbreaks, endemicity and response strategies were analyzed. Results Our findings indicate that continuous and recurrent outbreaks of cholera in Africa are fueled by cross-border migration, environmental reservoirs, socioeconomic factors, climate change and political instability. The review also identified specific response strategies and modelling approaches that have helped in containing and reducing the impact of these outbreaks. Conclusion Paying attention and tackling these identified factors that are dependent and independent can help put an end to this running battle.
ISSN:0300-8126
1439-0973
DOI:10.1007/s15010-018-1186-5