Last year, the number of deaths from cholera rose dramatically worldwide. 71 percent more fatal cases were reported than in 2022, reported the World Health Organization (WHO). The number of reported cases rose by 13 percent.
More than 4,000 people died last year from the preventable and treatable infection. 535,321 cases were reported, 38 percent of which affected children under five years of age. Because not all cases are registered and diagnosed everywhere, the WHO assumes that the true number is significantly higher.
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Contaminated water and food
Cholera is a diarrheal disease that causes the body to lose a lot of fluid. This can lead to kidney failure and death. People usually become infected by drinking water that is contaminated with feces or vomit from sick people, or by eating contaminated food.
In Africa, the number of cases has more than doubled, while in Asia and the Middle East it has fallen by around a third. According to preliminary reports, the numbers have remained high this year too: 342,000 cases of illness and 2,400 deaths have been reported to the WHO so far.
Vaccine missing
“Conflict, climate change, inadequate water and sanitation, poverty, underdevelopment and population displacement due to new and re-emerging conflicts and natural disasters have contributed to the increase in cholera outbreaks last year,” the WHO said.
There is far too little vaccine available, according to the WHO. Last year, 36 million vaccine doses were produced, but countries actually needed twice that amount. Production is being boosted by all means.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:240904-930-223166/1
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