The World Health Organization announced on Friday that the cholera outbreak is increasing sharply, with over 400,000 cases recorded in 31 countries this year.
The organization confirmed that “the global cholera situation continues to deteriorate,” driven by “conflict and poverty.”
Cholera Outbreak
It explained that “conflicts, mass displacement, natural disasters, and climate change have escalated the disease’s spread, particularly in rural areas and those affected by floods, where weak infrastructure and limited access to healthcare have delayed treatment.”
From the beginning of the year until August 17, the organization recorded 409,222 cases and 4,738 deaths worldwide. Although the number of infections decreased by 20% compared to the same period last year, deaths increased by 46%.
Cholera Deaths
The organization added, “Given the scale, severity, and interconnected nature of these outbreaks, the risk of their further spread within and between countries is extremely high.”
The mortality rate exceeds 1% in six countries, revealing serious gaps in case management and delays in accessing care, according to the organization.
Cholera has appeared in countries that have not reported a large number of cases for years, such as the Republic of Congo and Chad. These two countries recorded the highest mortality rates in the world, at 7.7% and 6.8%, respectively.
The Most Affected Country
Sudan, the third-largest African country, is the world’s most affected by cholera. More than 2,400 deaths have been recorded in the past year across 17 of its 18 states.
Cholera is typically accompanied by severe diarrhea caused by consuming water or food contaminated with Vibrio cholerae bacteria. It is easily treatable through patient rehydration, but it can lead to death within hours if left untreated.
