Cholera, a waterborne disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, continues to claim thousands of lives worldwide every year, despite being easily preventable. The World Health Organization estimates that there are 1.3 to 4 million cases of cholera annually, resulting in 21,000 to 143,000 deaths.
The most recent cholera outbreak in Yemen, which began in 2016, has been particularly devastating. The country has reported over 2.2 million suspected cases of cholera and over 3,800 deaths since the outbreak began. The situation is exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in Yemen, which has destroyed infrastructure and limited access to clean water and sanitation facilities.
Cholera is typically spread through contaminated water and food, and is more likely to occur in areas with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water. Symptoms of cholera include severe diarrhea, dehydration, and in severe cases, can lead to death within hours if left untreated.
Despite the availability of a safe and effective oral cholera vaccine, access to the vaccine remains limited in many developing countries. In addition, improving access to clean water and sanitation facilities is crucial in preventing the spread of the disease.
Efforts to combat cholera also include promoting good hygiene practices, such as handwashing with soap, and improving surveillance and response systems to quickly detect and contain outbreaks.
In recent years, there have been some success stories in combating cholera. In 2017, a large-scale vaccination campaign in Haiti helped to bring down the number of cholera cases to the lowest level since the outbreak began in 2010. Bangladesh has also made significant progress in reducing the number of cholera cases through improved water and sanitation infrastructure.
However, more needs to be done to prevent needless deaths from cholera. Governments, international organizations, and the private sector must work together to improve access to clean water and sanitation, increase vaccination coverage, and promote good hygiene practices.
Cholera is a preventable disease, and no one should die from it in this day and age. It is time for the global community to prioritize efforts to eliminate cholera once and for all. Only then can we ensure a healthier and more resilient world for all.