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Guinea-Bissau
International Staff: 5 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. MSF responded to a government appeal for help, sending teams into Oio province, Bissau city, Sao Domingos and Bijagos. By the end of the intervention, MSF had treated 5242 patients of the more than 23,000 recorded in the country. MSF worked continuously in Guinea-Bissau from 1998 until 2000. MSF keeps in regular contact with the authorities to help with any health emergencies that arise. |
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