The World Health Organization Warns of the Continued Deterioration of the Global Cholera Situation
The World Health Organization has warned that the global situation regarding cholera continues to worsen due to conflicts and poverty, with over 390,000 reported cases and 4,332 deaths from the disease in 31 countries this year.
Catherine Albert, the technical officer for cholera at the World Health Organization, provided an update on the global cholera situation, stating that these figures are considered underestimations. “They reflect a collective failure, as cholera is a preventable and easily treatable disease, yet it continues to claim lives,” she said.
Speaking at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva on Friday, she expressed particular concern about cholera in Yemen and several African countries, explaining that internal conflicts are fueling outbreaks of cholera.
The WHO official clarified that the International Coordinating Group for Vaccine Provision has received requests from 12 countries since January, three times the number compared to the same period last year, and that more than 40 million doses have already been allocated this year, compared to 35 million doses in the previous year.
She pointed out that more than 85% of the doses approved this year are allocated to countries facing humanitarian crises, with Sudan receiving the largest share.
