A global cholera outbreak has resulted in a significant increase in cases and deaths, with 195,000 cases and over 1,900 deaths reported in 24 countries since the start of the year. The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that the Eastern Mediterranean Region has been the hardest hit, followed by the African, American, Southeast Asian, and European Regions.
Despite exhausting its global stockpile of Oral Cholera Vaccines (OCV) by March, WHO has managed to exceed its emergency target of five million doses by early June. However, the supply of OCV still falls short of the demand, with 16 countries requesting 92 million doses since January last year, almost double the 49 million produced during that time.
On a positive note, WHO has announced that Chad has successfully eliminated “sleeping sickness” (human African trypanosomiasis) as a public health problem. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the global effort to combat neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Chad joins over 50 countries that have successfully eliminated at least one NTD, bringing the 100-country target set for 2030 within reach.
Improved access to early diagnosis, treatment, surveillance, and response have proven effective in controlling and eliminating the transmission of sleeping sickness. WHO, UNICEF, and other partners are working together to find long-term solutions to combat cholera and other NTDs.