According to data presented on Wednesday by World Health Organization (WHO) in 2023 reported 535,321 cases of cholera from 45 countries and 4007 deaths caused by this disease.
This means that compared to 2022 the number of cholera cases increased by 13 percentand as many as 10,000 deaths were caused by it o 71 procent.
– Cholera killed more than several thousand people last year, even though it is preventable and easy to treat – he said at a press conference szef WHO Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Up to two million cases of cholera
According to him In reality, there may be much more cases of the diseasebut they are not reported due to limitations in surveillance systems and concerns about the impact on trade and tourism.
Research models show that There are about two million cases of cholera and 100,000 deaths worldwide each year.
The WHO chief explained that increase in the number of cases Armed conflict, climate change, poor sanitation, poverty and displacement have contributed to this.
World Health Organization notes that the areas where this disease occurs have changed recently – Fewer cases have been reported in Asia and the Middle Eastwhereas huge growth occurred in Africa.
The situation is particularly difficult in Sudanwhere in recent weeks it has been confirmed 354 cases of infectionand at least 22 people died from cholera.
If we take the whole world into account, This year, 342,000 infections have already been detected and more than 2,400 deaths in 22 countries.
WHO chief appeals for vaccines
In this regard WHO chief appeals for increased vaccine production. He reported that last year around 36 million doseswhich is only half of what is needed.
Currently only one company in the world produces cholera vaccines – South Korean EuBiologics.
– Although vaccinations are an important tool, they are equally important in controlling the cholera epidemic. safe drinking water, good sanitation and hygiene – said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Cholera is a highly contagious disease caused by a bacterium – cholera vibrio. It spreads epidemically through water contaminated by sick people and carriers. Its main symptom is an acute, watery diarrhea and vomiting leading to dehydration of the body.
Without proper treatment can lead to death in just a few hours. Cholera is treated with antibiotics and intensive, also intravenous, hydration.
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