“Cholera has killed more than 4,000 people in one year,” while it is “a preventable and easily treated disease,” pointed out Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during a press conference.
The number of cases and deaths from cholera has increased sharply in 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Wednesday, its head stressing that this was nevertheless a“a preventable and easily treatable disease”The number of recorded cholera cases increased by 13% to 535,321, and deaths by 71% in 2023 compared to 2022, according to global statistics released by the organization.
“Cholera killed more than 4,000 people in one year”while it is “a preventable and easily treatable disease”Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus pointed out at a news conference. And the number of cases and deaths is very likely “underrated”said Philippe Barboza, WHO team leader for cholera and epidemic diarrheal diseases. He particularly mentioned gaps in diagnosis, with capacities varying greatly from country to country.
Conflict, climate change, inadequate drinking water and sanitation, poverty, underdevelopment and population displacement due to emerging and re-emerging conflicts and natural disasters have all contributed to the increase in cholera outbreaks in 2023, according to a WHO statement. The geographical distribution of cholera has also “significantly changed” from 2022 to 2023, with a 32% decrease in the number of cases reported in the Middle East and Asia but a 125% jump in Africa, the organization found.
Only one vaccine manufacturer
2023 was the first year that multiple countries reported cholera deaths outside health facilities (“community deaths”), testifying to “serious gaps in access to treatment”according to WHO. In 2024, the global risk of cholera remains “very high”, “22 countries currently reporting active outbreaks”Dr. Tedros noted. Since the beginning of the year, more than 342,000 cases and 2,400 deaths have been reported.
Faced with this situation, the head of the WHO renewed his call to increase vaccine production. “About 36 million doses were produced last year, only half of the amount requested by 14 affected countries since October 2022”said Dr. Tedros. Recalling that“There is currently only one manufacturer of cholera vaccines, EuBiologics”he urged “other manufacturers planning to enter the market to accelerate their efforts”.
If vaccination is “an important tool”, “Clean water, sanitation and hygiene remain the only sustainable and long-term solutions”recalled the head of the WHO. Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacillus Vibrio cholerae. The disease causes diarrhea and severe dehydration that can lead to death within hours.
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