The World Health Organization (WHO) has sounded the alarm regarding the ongoing persistence of cholera cases globally, with a staggering 40,900 reported cases and 775 fatalities documented in January alone.
According to a report released on Monday by the WHO, these cases span 17 countries across four regions: the African Region, the Eastern Mediterranean Region, the Region of the Americas, and the South-East Asia Region.
Zambia and Zimbabwe have witnessed significant surges in cases, underscoring the ongoing challenges in cholera control and the critical importance of sustained public health interventions.
The report further highlights that in 2023, cholera outbreaks were reported in 30 countries across five WHO regions, with nine countries reporting more than 10,000 cases each.
One of the key obstacles hindering the global response to cholera is the shortage of Oral Cholera Vaccines (OCV). Urgent requests for OCV surged from January 2023 to January 2024, with 14 countries requesting a total of 76 million doses, while only 38 million doses were available during the same period.
The WHO report underscores that the global stockpile of vaccines awaits replenishment, with all production until March 8 earmarked for previously approved requests.
Classified as a grade 3 emergency in January 2023, the highest internal level for emergencies, the global resurgence of cholera continues to pose a significant threat. The WHO emphasizes that based on the increasing number of outbreaks, their geographic spread, and the shortage of vaccines and resources, the risk of cholera remains elevated at a global level.
As the WHO intensifies efforts to address the cholera crisis, collaboration between governments, international organizations, and stakeholders is imperative to strengthen surveillance, improve access to vaccines, and implement effective preventive measures to curb the spread of the disease and mitigate its impact on vulnerable populations worldwide. (NAN)