The World Health Organization (WHO) has released statistics on the global cholera situation for 2023, revealing increases in both cases and fatalities.
According to the report published on Wednesday, cholera cases rose by 13%, while deaths surged by 71% compared to the previous year.
WHO’s data shows that over 4,000 people succumbed to cholera in 2023, a disease that is both preventable and easily treatable.
The report states that 45 countries reported cases, an increase from 44 in 2022 and 35 in 2021. Notably, 38% of reported cases were among children under five years old.
The organization attributes this alarming rise to various factors, including conflict, climate change, inadequate sanitation, poverty, underdevelopment, and population displacement.
A significant geographical shift in cholera distribution was observed, with Africa experiencing a 125% increase in cases, while the Middle East and Asia saw a 32% decrease.
WHO highlighted a concerning trend of “community deaths” – fatalities occurring outside health facilities.
“In five out of 13 reporting countries, more than a third of cholera deaths occurred in the community, highlighting serious gaps in access to treatment,” the report noted.
Several countries continue to battle large outbreaks, including Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, and Somalia.
The crisis shows no signs of abating in 2024, with 22 countries currently reporting active outbreaks.
The increased demand for cholera materials, such as vaccines and diagnostic tests, poses additional challenges. WHO has adopted a single-dose vaccination approach to address limited supplies, shipping a record 35 million doses in 2024.
WHO emphasizes that “safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene remain the only long-term and sustainable solutions to ending cholera outbreaks and preventing future ones.”
The organization considers the current global cholera risk as very high and has appealed for $50 million to respond to outbreaks in 2024, a need that remains unmet.