Cholera, caused by Vibrio cholerae, is closely linked to poverty and poor access to clean water and sanitation. Though often asymptomatic, severe cases can lead to rapid death from dehydration if untreated. Core interventions for mitigating cholera risk include water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) efforts. However, cholera cases are rising due to conflict, climate change, and inadequate sanitation infrastructure. In 2022, WHO reported 472,697 cholera cases and 2,349 deaths from 44 countries, with the actual burden likely higher due to underreporting. Notable outbreaks include the 2010 Haiti outbreak, triggered by UN officers from Nepal, and the large 2016 outbreak in war-torn Yemen. In 2024, outbreaks have been reported in Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, and Ethiopia, highlighting the ongoing threat to vulnerable communities.1
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References
- Editorial & GettyImages/Jekesai Njikizana. (2024). A simplified vaccine for cholera outbreak control. In The Lancet Infectious Diseases (Vol. 24, p. 557). https://www.thelancet.com/action/showPdf?pii=S1473-3099%2824%2900301-3
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