Amidst the shortage of the cholera vaccine, the disease is spreading through the Middle East and Africa. Here’s everything you need to know.
Cholera vaccine shortage amidst the outbreak
Despite being in decline for several years, the United Nations is noticing “a worrying upsurge” of Cholera in 2022. As per the World Health Organization (WHO) since the beginning of this year, 29 nations have reported outbreaks of the disease. The pattern is a step up from the past five years when under 20 nations on average were reporting outbreaks. According to WHO, water contamination is the leading cause.
Experts reveal the illness can be extremely brutal and is an indication of social inequity and poverty. The International Coordinating Group (ICG), a WHO body is managing emergency supplies of the cholera vaccine. Through the body, WHO is temporarily suspending the standard double-dose regimen and adopting a single-dose approach temporarily. “The suspension of the two-dose approach allows for the vaccine to reach more parts of the world. While the one-dose strategy is effective, protection appears to be lower in children,” stated experts from WHO.
More on the rising cases
A case of sudden and acute watery diarrhea is a telltale sign of cholera. However, it can kill a patient in hours if not treated. Milder infections are treatable with rehydration solutions. The rapid increase in cholera cases is also putting a strain on WHO and its partners’ ability for responding. “The situation is made worse by the overlap between these epidemics and ongoing humanitarian crises and other catastrophes,” stated Dick Chamla. Chamla is WHO’s emergency preparedness manager for the Africa region.
“In the Middle East, more and more people suffer from food insecurity and malnutrition due to different factors linked to conflict, [economic] crisis, drought, and water scarcity, making them more vulnerable in case of a cholera epidemic. In refugee camps and informal settlements, the population is mostly composed of women and children living often in precarious situations with inadequate health, water, and sanitation facilities,” explained Salim Oweis. Oweis is a UNICEF communication officer at the Middle East and North Africa offices. Moreover, the war-torn nation of Syria is at the burnt end of one of the worst cholera outbreaks this year. The disease is ripping through its northern region. Additionally, a Doctors Without Borders report reveals the outbreak is linked to water contamination near the Euphrates River