Table 2

Direct and indirect real cost of cholera (US$) in 2005 (at 2002 prices)

Scenario 1: At maximum life expectancy of 73 years

Scenario 2: At average life expectancy of 53 years

Scenario 3: At minimum life expectancy of 40 years

Summary of direct costs of cholera

US$

% of grand TC

US$

% of grand TC

US$

% of grand TC

(A). Direct costs

(1) Annual cost of medicines used in treating children and adults suffering mild/moderate cholera state at health centre

185,334

0.29

185,334

0.35

185,334

0.48

(2) Annual cost of medicines used in treating children and adults suffering severe cholera state at hospitals

71,561

0.11

71,561

0.13

71,561

0.18

(3) "Hotel" cost component of mild/moderate cholera cases consultations at health centres

2,740,314

4.27

2,740,314

5.15

2,740,314

7.03

(4) "Hotel" cost component of severe cholera cases hospitalization

651,741

1.02

651,741

1.22

651,741

1.67

(5) Cost cholera-related tests all cholera cases

1,615,047

2.52

1,615,047

3.03

1,615,047

4.15

(6) Health care cost borne by households

273,201

0.43

273,201

0.51

273,201

0.70

Total Direct Costs

5,537,198

8.62

5,537,198

10.40

5,537,198

14.21

(B) Indirect costs

(7) Cost of disablement among severe cases

63,879

0.10

63,879

0.12

63,879

0.16

(8) Cost of disablement among mild/moderate cases

531,242

0.83

531,242

1.00

531,242

1.36

(9) Cost of premature deaths

56,691,858

88.29

45,723,836

85.88

31,441,728

80.71

(10) Productivity loss for care-givers

1,384,702

2.16

1,384,702

2.60

1,384,702

3.55

Total Indirect Costs

58,671,681

91.38

47,703,659

89.60

33,421,551

85.79

Grand total cost

64,208,880

100

53,240,859

100

38,958,750

100

Kirigia et al. BMC International Health and Human Rights 2009 9:8   doi:10.1186/1472-698X-9-8