We are both Measurement and Evaluation Officers. We have been able to conduct active case searches, investigate and report on epidemic prone diseases within the district with the active support and cooperation of the District Health Management Team, the District Medical Officer and the Directorate of Disease Prevention and Control to whom we report.

Abubakarr Tarawally, Ag Disease Surveillance Officer, Tonkolili and Fredrick Yamba, Environmental Health Officer and Asst Disease Surveillance Officer

The most prevalent disease in Tonkolili district is malaria, followed by acute respiratory infection, diarrhea and vomiting, and sexually transmitted infections in that order.

There was an outbreak of measles in late February and March 2005. 15 cases were reported, but were effectively and efficiently dealt with due mainly to early detection and prompt response by the District Health Management Team, supported by MSF Holland. Moreover, in May 2006, nine cases were reported, but were also handled with no casualty.

Yellow fever which had long disappeared, was last heard about in August 2003 when three cases were reported including one from Bumbuna town, Kalansogoia Chiefdom.

All of these achievements are due mainly to the tireless and timely support of other partners including W.H.O. and UNICEF. W.H.O. have been providing technical support for the investigations of reported cases and facilitating strategic actions aimed at containing the outbreak. On the other hand, UNICEF has been providing us with the drugs and mosquito nets which were administered by the District Health Management Team and Chiefdom Health Committee. UNICEF also assisted the campaign with part funding. 

There was also an outbreak of diarrheoa and vomiting in June 2004 and in October and November of the same year, but we were also able to contain it with the timely assistance of MSF Holland, which has been very supportive and responsive to us.