2024-03-21 11:56:53
The number of cholera cases worldwide has risen so rapidly that there is a risk of a severe shortage of vaccines. Currently only one company produces it.
Last year, 36 million doses were produced, but at least 72 million were requested by countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported. More vaccine doses were requested between 2021 and 2023 than in the entire previous decade combined.
In view of the skyrocketing cases of cholera and the lack of a vaccine against the disease, the World Health Organization (WHO) has called for “immediate action”. In addition, “immediate action is needed to contain the unprecedented increase in global cholera cases in several years,” said the WHO’s International Vaccine Coordination Group (ICG) on Wednesday.
Cholera cases increasing worldwide
Cholera cases have been increasing since 2021. In 2022 there were more than twice as many cases as in the previous year, a total of 473,000, according to the WHO. Preliminary data for 2023 suggested there were more than 700,000 cases. Acute intestinal infection is transmitted through food and water contaminated with feces containing the Vibrio cholerae bacterium.
Outbreaks occur when hygiene conditions are poor. This often happens after disasters or in conflict regions when many people are driven from their homes. The most severely affected are the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Only one laboratory can currently produce vaccine
In view of the high demand for vaccines, the coordination group had already issued the recommendation in October 2022 to use one vaccination dose instead of the usual two doses. This protects more people, but doesn’t last as long. The group is therefore pushing for more investment in wastewater systems and the supply of clean drinking water.