CHOLERA OUTBREAKS – EMERGENCY

PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE

(EPREP) GTFCC SECRETARIAT

WHO/Ali Ngethi
Module 2: Organization of the
response
After completing this module, you will:

Explain the role of the cholera coordination

committee and describe the objectives of the
cholera response plan.
Leadership and coordination
• Effective coordination ensures that sectors
work together, and messages and
activities are consistent
⮚ Facilitates data sharing between sectors
⮚ Avoids duplications and gaps
• During small outbreaks activate
coordination committees at local level
• During large outbreaks activate or
establish a cholera coordination
committee or task force at national level in
addition to local levels WHO/Aphaluck Bhatiasevi

⮚ Ministry of Health is usually the lead

organization
⮚ Members from all response pillars
⮚ May be as part of the Emergency Operating
Center (EOC)
 Functions of the cholera coordination committee
• Coordinates multisectoral activities
• Identifies partner institutions
• Rapidly develops, executes and monitors the outbreak response plan
• Provides strategic direction and identifies priority interventions
• Receives and distributes information
• Coordinates the following and sharing of epidemiological information
• Organizes meetings, briefings and trainings
• Monitors and evaluates control activities
• Coordinates fundraising
 Technical working groups
• They work under the coordination committee
• Have more specific tasks.
• For example:
⮚ Logistics team: procures and distributes supplies
⮚ Community engagement team: produces materials for health education,
mobilizes community focal points for health promotion
⮚ Etc.
 Cholera response plan
Key Activity Timeline Partner
Component Example of a response matrix activities 2017
Leadership/ Reactivate cholera task force at national and sub May MoH,
• Objectives: Coordination national levels to ensure maximum coordination,
Health &
WASH
⮚ Reduce the mortality gap coverage and concerted approach.
May
Cluster
MoH,
Reactivate and sustain an integrated cholera
⮚ Reduce the transmission of the operational room at national and governorate level.
Health &
WASH
disease Cluster

⮚ Prevent the introduction of the Surveillance Expand community-based surveillance and May MoH,
Health &
strengthen current surveillance system.
outbreak to other high-risk areas WASH
Cluster
Outbreak investigation and identify sources of May – Dec MoH,
• It takes into account the risk and infection.
Health &
WASH

needs assessments Test water sources for cholera by central May – Dec
Cluster
MoH,
Health &
laboratory.
• Based on a pre-existing WASH
Cluster

preparedness plan if available Case Conduct cholera risk assessment to identify hotspot May – Dec WHO
Management areas for possible oral cholera vaccine.
Establish and operate ORP at community and May – Dec MoH,
• Needs to be developed quickly to primary health care level for management of mild
Health

ensure a coordinated response and moderate cases.

Establish / reactivate / sustain cholera treatment May – Dec MoH,
Health
centers (CTCs) with the required WASH facilities for Cluster
management of severe cases.
 Cholera response plan
Example of a budget section

• Includes sections on all cholera

prevention and control sectors
• Identifies the actions to be taken
in response to an outbreak,
including who will do what, where,
and when
• Each section should have:
⮚ clear activities
⮚ indicators for monitoring and
evaluation
⮚ budget