The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, made a call on Thursday for an increase in the production of cholera vaccines, as the quantities are largely insufficient to meet the demands of countries.
“The health response continues to be affected by a critical shortage of vaccines,” alerted the WHO chief on the social network X, explaining that demand continues to exceed supply, with 105 million doses requested by 18 countries since January 2023,” while “55 million doses have been produced during the same period.”
The WHO calls for increased investments to boost vaccine production and urges all states to invest in water sanitation, as well as in emergency preparedness to prevent further outbreak situations, Dr. Tedros said.
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The WHO continues to assess the global risk as “very high,” according to a monthly epidemiological bulletin on cholera published Thursday by the organization, due to outbreaks and their geographic expansion, as well as the shortage of vaccines and other resources.
The WHO reported 307,433 cases of cholera and 2,326 deaths that have been reported in 26 countries from January 1 to July 28, 2024.
The Eastern Mediterranean region records the highest numbers, followed by the African region, the Southeast Asia region, the Americas region, and the European region. No outbreak has been reported in the Western Pacific region during this period.
Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the Vibrio cholerae bacterium. Transmission is said to be fecal-oral, either directly through the ingestion of bacteria from the feces of infected individuals or most often indirectly through the ingestion of contaminated food or water. Furthermore, the disease causes diarrhea, severe dehydration that can lead to death within hours.
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Urgent Call for Increased Cholera Vaccine Production Amidst Rising Cases
In a recent alert, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), emphasized the urgent need to ramp up cholera vaccine production. As of January 2023, 18 nations have collectively requested 105 million doses; however, only 55 million doses have been manufactured, highlighting a stark shortfall in meeting global health needs.
Dr. Tedros pointed out that the ongoing health response is critically hindered by vaccine shortages, urging both nations and organizations to increase investments in vaccination and sanitation efforts. Such initiatives are essential to not only tackle the immediate cholera crisis but also to enhance preparedness for potential future outbreaks.
The WHO’s latest epidemiological bulletin revealed over 307,000 cholera cases and 2,326 deaths across 26 countries between January and late July 2024. The Eastern Mediterranean region reports the highest infection rates, followed by Africa and Southeast Asia. This disturbing trend reinforces the need for a robust and proactive approach to disease management, including improved water sanitation and healthcare infrastructure.
While cholera remains a rampant public health threat, characterized by its acute diarrheal symptoms and severe dehydration, the increasing geographical spread of outbreaks indicates a greater risk than previously assessed. The WHO currently rates the global cholera risk as “very high,” which underscores the urgent necessity for comprehensive strategies that encompass both vaccination efforts and public health preparedness.
The cholera bacterium, Vibrio cholerae, is primarily transmitted through contaminated water and food, necessitating enhanced sanitation measures alongside vaccine production. As countries navigate the challenges posed by cholera and its potential resurgence, the call for collaborative international efforts has never been more vital.