Guinea-Bissau
The West African country of Guinea-Bissau has a precarious infrastructure, lacking a general water and electricity supply even in its capital, Bissau. In addition to common diseases such as malaria and TB, there have been recent epidemics of cholera, measles and meningitis - the most recent taking place in 2005.
The first cases of cholera emerged on June 11, 2005 in Bissau, the capital. The disease spread quickly to other regions and by the end of August, the entire country was affected. Médecins Sans Frontières responded to a government appeal for help, sending teams into Oio province, Bissau city, Sao Domingos and Bijagos. By the end of the intervention, our teams had treated 5,242 patients of the more than 23,000 recorded in the country.
Médecins Sans Frontières worked continuously in Guinea-Bissau from 1998 until 2000. Médecins Sans Frontières keeps in regular contact with the authorities to help with any health emergencies that arise.
Over 10,000 people affected by cholera
22/10/2008
More than 10,000 people have been affected by the cholera outbreak that has devastated Guinea-Bissau since May. The epidemic has already caused the deaths of 190 patients. After reaching the epidemic peak recently, in the past...
Guinea-Bissau hit by a severe cholera outbreak
22/09/2008
Médecins Sans Frontières has just launched an emergency intervention in Guinea-Bissau to face a severe cholera outbreak. The first cases were reported in May, but the epidemic has only soared in August.