Rising to the Top: Children Worldwide at Risk of Cholera

In 43 countries, after years of decline, cholera is making a comeback affecting kids under the age of five.

In 43 countries, around 100 crore people, specifically kids are at an increased risk of cholera, according to a new report by the UN.

It said that more countries now face outbreaks, increasing numbers of cases are being reported and the //outcome for patients is worse than 10 years ago. Cholera's extraordinarily high mortality ratio is also alarming.

Cholera - Causes - Pathogenicity - Symptoms - Diagnosis - Treatment - Prevention - FAQs
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine and is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.

‘The combined cholera response plan that aims to cover 40 countries includes coordination, infection surveillance and prevention, vaccination, treatment, and water, sanitation and hygiene. ’

"The (cholera) pandemic is killing the poor right in front of us," said Jerome Pfaffmann Zambruni, Head of Unicef's Public Health Emergency unit, in a statement.

The Human Cost of Cholera: Over 100,000 Children at Risk

According to World Health Organization (WHO) data, 15 countries had reported cholera cases till May last year ().

However, by mid-May this year "we already have 24 countries reporting and we anticipate more with the seasonal shift in cholera cases," said Henry Gray, the WHO's Incident Manager for the global cholera response.

"Despite advances in the control of the disease made in the previous decades we risk going backwards," he added.

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A deadly combination of climate change, underinvestment in water, sanitation and hygiene services -- and in some cases armed conflict -- has led to the spread of the disease, the report said.

Although vaccines exist to protect against cholera, supply is insufficient to face the increasing demand. According to the WHO, 18 million doses of vaccines have been requested globally, but only eight million have been made available.

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"Increasing production is not an overnight solution," said Gray.

"The plan is to double the production of doses by 2025, but we won't have enough if the current trend continues. Vaccine is a tool, but not an overall solution. Long term investment in water sanitation is the priority," he added.

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The WHO's wake-up call was echoed by UNICEF.

"Not only (do) we need long term investments, but immediate investments in the water system to ensure access to clean water, sanitation, and dignity," said Zambruni.

To respond to the growing cholera threat, the WHO is launching a 12-month Strategic Preparedness, Response and Readiness Plan, requiring $160 million, alongside UNICEF's Call to Action for $480 million ().

References:

Cholera - (https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cholera)
Strategic preparedness, readiness and response plan to end the global COVID-19 emergency in 2022 - (https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-WHE-SPP-2022.1)

Source-IANS