The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a significant increase in global cholera cases and deaths for 2023. On Wednesday, the WHO announced a 13% rise in cholera cases and a staggering 71% increase in deaths compared to the previous year.
“Over 4,000 people died last year from a disease that is preventable and easily treatable,” stated the WHO. The report noted that cholera cases were reported in 45 countries worldwide. Preliminary data reveals that 38% of the cases were among children under five years old.
The WHO attributed the rise in outbreaks to various factors including conflicts, climate change, and inadequate water and sanitation. The geographical distribution of cholera shifted notably from 2022 to 2023, with a 32% decrease in the Middle East and Asia, while Africa saw a 125% increase in cases.
Many African nations reported a high proportion of community deaths, highlighting significant gaps in access to treatment. The WHO noted that this was the first year multiple countries reported deaths outside health facilities, termed “community deaths.”
Countries such as Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, and Somalia continued to experience major outbreaks with over 10,000 suspected or confirmed cases. Ethiopia, Haiti, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe also reported new outbreaks.
The cholera crisis is ongoing into 2024, with 22 countries currently facing active outbreaks. As of August 22, WHO reported 342,800 cases and 2,400 deaths globally. The organization considers the current global cholera risk “very high” and is awaiting $50 million in requested funding for outbreak response.
In a related issue, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted a severe shortage of cholera vaccines. He noted that despite a significant increase in vaccine requests, production met only half of the demand last year. The International Coordinating Group has switched to a single-dose vaccination regimen to extend coverage.
Tedros emphasized the need for more vaccine manufacturers to enter the market and provide doses at affordable prices.
