The world is facing a "
worrying resurgence
" of cholera, after years of decline, a disease favored by the effects of climate change, warned the World Health Organization (WHO) this Friday, September 30.
During the first nine months of the year, 26 countries reported epidemics, compared to less than 20 per year between 2017 and 2021, according to the WHO.
"
After years of decline, we are seeing a worrying upsurge in cholera epidemics worldwide over the past year
," said WHO Team Leader for Cholera and Epidemic Diarrheal Diseases, Philippe Barboza, during a press briefing in Geneva.
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“
Not only are there more epidemics, but the epidemics themselves are larger and more deadly
,” he noted.
According to the expert, the average cholera-related fatality rate recorded in 2021 is almost three times higher than in the previous five years.
Cholera, an acute diarrheal infection causing sometimes fatal dehydration, is contracted by the absorption of water or food products contaminated with the bacterium vibrio cholerae.
It develops in areas that are often populated, with limited access to drinking water or without suitable sanitation networks.
“We can expect the situation to get worse”
"
Extreme climatic events such as floods, cyclones and droughts further reduce access to drinking water and create an ideal environment for the development of cholera
", underlined Philippe Barboza.
"
As the effects of climate change intensify, we can expect the situation to get worse if we don't act now to boost cholera prevention
," he added.
The WHO does not have data on the number of deaths linked to cholera due to the lack of statistics available in the affected countries, including Syria, Iraq, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal. , Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa area.
Cholera is an acute diarrheal disease from which people can die within hours if left untreated.
But most infected people will have no or only mild symptoms and can be successfully treated with oral rehydration salts.
Vaccines are available but not enough because demand exceeds supply.
According to Philippe Barboza, there are still a few million doses left for this year.
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According to the expert, the main problem is that there is only one vaccine manufacturer: "
We have to find ways to involve more manufacturers
".
“
The situation is serious, but it is not hopeless.
Cholera is, after all, preventable and treatable.
With foresight and appropriate action, we can reverse the trend
,” he concluded.
