As of 22 April, WHO has received reports of 1 191 cases and 63 deaths (CFR,  5.3 %) in the country since the outbreak began on the 12 March 2002. Five out of 18 regions are affected: Banadir (Mogadishu), Lower Shabelle (Merka), Middle Shabelle (Jilib and Haranka), Hiraan (Belet Weyne) and Bari (Bossasso) regions. Laboratory tests have confirmed Vibrio cholerae O1 Ogawa.   

Members of the Somali Aid Coordination Body (SACB), including WHO, UNICEF, Action Contre la Faim (ACF), Médecins sans Frontières (MSF Spain, MSF Holland), the Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCS) with support from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and other partners are working with local health authorities to control the cholera outbreak. Regional cholera preparedness and control plans have been implemented, along with increased surveillance, pre-positioning of  medical supplies and  training of local and international medical staff.  Sanitation and control activities, particularly chlorination of public wells are continuing. Longer-term control measures also in place include rehabilitation of safe water sources, construction of urban water systems, and continuing public information campaigns to improve health and hygiene. In addition WHO is providing laboratory support, on-site training in case management and cholera control, as well as operational research on cholera.  

Cholera is endemic in Somalia and normally surges from December through May each year. The outbreaks tend to recede with the arrival of Somalia's annual long rainy season.