Twice the number of cholera cases were reported to WHO in 2021 in 2022, with 44 countries reporting them, compared to 35 in 2021.
WHO: Cholera cases on the rise
Published Sept. 25, 2023 08:56
© WHO / Billy Miaron
Not only were there more outbreaks, but they were also larger. Seven countries - Afghanistan, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Nigeria, Somalia and the Syrian Arab Republic - reported more than 10,000 confirmed cases.
Cholera is an acute intestinal infection that spreads through food and water contaminated with feces containing the Vibrio cholerae bacterium. It is closely linked to the lack of access to tested drinking water and sanitation. Climate change is also not insignificant. Extreme phenomena such as floods, droughts and cyclones are causing new outbreaks of the disease and worsening statistics in existing ones.
Ongoing reported data for 2023 shows that the upward trend will continue. Active outbreaks are already reported by 24 countries.
As of October 2022, single-dose vaccination, instead of two-dose vaccination, is being used in cholera response campaigns. The WHO has called for $160.4 million to be allocated to the fight against cholera as part of the Global Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan.
