As cholera continues its relentless surge and with vaccines still in short supply, experts are sounding the alarm on the global risk posed by this bacterial disease. Cholera, known for its transmission through contaminated food and water, results in severe diarrhea and dehydration. Its prevalence has been on the rise worldwide since 2021.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are annually between 1.3 to 4 million cases of cholera globally, leading to approximately 21,000 to 143,000 deaths. The numbers are staggering, with around 473,000 cases reported to WHO in 2022, doubling from the previous year, and projections for reported cases in 2023 expected to surpass 700,000.
Dr. Renuga Vivekanandan, M.D., assistant dean and professor at the Creighton University School of Medicine, voiced concern over the increase, particularly in regions like Asia, Africa, and Latin America. UNICEF highlights countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Zambia, and Zimbabwe as the most affected.
While the U.S. experienced cholera outbreaks in the 1800s, advancements in water treatment systems have largely eradicated the disease. However, rare cases still occur, often linked to consuming raw or undercooked shellfish from the Gulf of Mexico.
Why the sudden spike in global cases? The CDC points to the spread of Vibrio cholerae bacteria through contaminated water and food, particularly in areas lacking proper treatment of drinking water and sewage. Though not usually transmitted person-to-person, UNICEF underscores the role of “persistent gaps in access to safe water and sanitation” in driving the rise of cholera cases.
Dr. Vivekanandan suggests climate change, displacement due to disasters, and inadequate sanitation as contributing factors to the increase. Cholera’s symptoms, ranging from severe diarrhea to shock and dehydration, can be fatal without proper treatment. This resurgence underscores the critical need for improved sanitation and access to clean water globally to combat this preventable disease.
