Cholera outbreak during massive influx of Rwandan returnees in November, 1996.

fatality rate may be attributed to the quick assistance provided along the road. It is also possible that the returnees might have developed some immunity to cholera, following the 1994 outbreak in Goma. The Goma Epidemiology Group estimated that almost all refugees were infected by Vibrio cholerae during that period. Now that returnees are in their communes, active surveillance should be continued daily for suspected cholera cases (MOH/WHO recommendations). The cholera outbreak described may be regarded as being of moderate severity, but it is likely that in the coming weeks, vulnerable groups among the Rwandan population will need more attention. Co-ordination between MOH, UN agencies and NGOs will remain essential to maximise efficiency of emergency health intervention.