By Phephile Motau
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says one billion lives are at risk following cholera outbreaks in different countries.
WHO’s Cholera Team Leader Philippe Barboza told reporters at a press conference that for the first time, WHO was seeking donors for help to fight the outbreaks, according to the World Economic Forum.
It was reported that 22 countries across the world were dealing with outbreaks of acute diarrheal infection caused by eating or drinking contaminated food or water.
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Cholera cases increased in 2022, following years of falling numbers of cases and the trend is expected to continue into this year.
Barboza said cases have been reported in five of the six regions where the WHO operates. The latest WHO global overview published in early February showed the situation has further deteriorated since 2022.
“Poverty, disasters, conflict and climate change consequences continue to be driving factors alongside a lack of access to safe water and sanitation”, Dr Barboza is reported to have said.
“An unprecedented situation requires an unprecedented response,” he said, and further revealed the limited availability of vaccines, medicines, and testing kits.
He said only 37 million doses of vaccines were available and more doses are expected to be available by next year.
Read More: Mozambique targeting 720 000 people for cholera vaccination
“As a result of the current global surge, WHO is, for the first time ever, appealing to donors to support a E450 million (US$25 million) fund to help to address cholera outbreaks and save lives,” he said.
In Africa, Malawi is experiencing a widespread cholera outbreak, with 36 943 cases and 1 210 associated deaths reported from all 29 districts since March 3, 2022. This is the deadliest outbreak of cholera in the country’s history, according to the WHO.
According to Relief Web, in Mozambique, flooding caused partly by Cyclone Freddy is increasing the risk of cholera at a time when the country is struggling to contain a cholera outbreak with over 1 000 cases registered in the last week. A cholera vaccination campaign with 720 000 doses started on February 27.
South Africa has also declared a cholera outbreak, following the discovery of a locally-acquired indigenous case. The National Institute of Non-Communicable Diseases (NICD) said as of February 28, 2023, a total of six confirmed cholera cases including one death had been reported in Gauteng Province.
