A strong mobilization of government agencies helped contain the spread of the bacteria and bring the outbreak under control

As soon as the first case of cholera was confirmed in the Union of the Comoros in February 2024, the Mayotte Regional Health Agency, in collaboration with national and local authorities, an ambitious response plan aimed at identifying all suspected cases, providing hospital care for all cholera patients, and rapidly intervening in patients’ homes to disinfect living spaces and vaccinate and treat all contacts. This strategy, combined with the implementation of preventive measures, thus helped to significantly limit the impact of the epidemic in Mayotte at the height of the crisis. In a second phase, the organization of a large-scale preventive vaccination campaign in the most vulnerable areas (nearly 35,000 vaccinations administered), the maintenance of water distribution points in strategic sectors, and the ongoing education of the population on hygiene measures now constitute factors protecting the population in the medium term.

The Prefect of Mayotte, the Mayotte Regional Health Agency, and Santé publique France would like to take this opportunity to commend the unwavering commitment of healthcare professionals, government agencies, and community partners who have mobilized daily to address this major challenge.

Maintaining a high level of vigilance, particularly in light of the recent confirmation of new cholera cases in the Union of the Comoros

Although the epidemic is now over in Mayotte, national and local authorities are maintaining a high level of vigilance across the territory, given both the identification of new cholera cases in the Union of the Comoros and the approaching rainy season, which is conducive to the re-emergence of various waterborne diseases.

In this context, the Mayotte Regional Health Agency and Santé publique France are maintaining a high level of surveillance at entry points into the territory and more broadly across the island through their network of health and community partners.
Finally, the authorities remind the public that adhering to precautionary measures (drinking safe water, regular handwashing, and proper waste management) remains the most effective way to protect against the transmission of various waterborne diseases.