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Mahesh

06/10/22 07:15 AM IST

WHO warns of ‘worrying surge’ in cholera cases globally

In News 
  • Several countries across the world are in the grips of a cholera outbreak, with at least seven deaths recorded in Haiti for the first time in three years. 
Key Findings 
  • 26 countries have reported cholera outbreak in 2022. This is problematic since, normally, less than 20 countries report cholera outbreak every year.
  • Haiti had recorded at least 7 cholera deaths for the first time in 3 years. The health crisis in the Caribbean country was worsened because of surge in fuel prices, which has caused shortages in clean drinking water and adversely affected the operations of healthcare facilities.
  • Conflict, poverty and climate crisis are the main reasons behind the spike in cholera cases at the international level.
  • Extreme climatic conditions like flooding, cyclones and droughts are reducing the access to clean water and supporting the spread of cholera.
  • The WHO warned that these outbreaks are expected to be larger and more fatal in the coming years because of climate change.
  • In 2021, the fatality rate has tripled when compared with the previous 5 years.
  • Currently, the WHO does not have accurate figures on the cholera cases and deaths because of the absence of standard surveillance system in the affected countries.
  • In India, cholera is endemic. This year, the number of cases in Maharashtra surpassed the last year’s figures, resulting in 261 cases and at least 6 deaths in July. The number of deaths in the state is highest in this decade.
Cholera 
  • It is a life-threatening infectious disease and a public health hazard.
  • Cholera is an acute, diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.
  • The infection is often mild or without symptoms, but sometimes can be severe.
  • A person may get cholera by drinking water or eating food contaminated with the cholera bacterium.
  • The disease can spread rapidly in areas with inadequate treatment of sewage and drinking water.
  • Currently there are three WHO pre-qualified oral cholera vaccines (OCV), Dukoral, Shanchol, and Euvichol-Plus.
  • All three vaccines require two doses for full protection.
Source- DTE 

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