WHO Reports 13% Rise in Global Cholera Cases and 71% Surge in Deaths in 2023

The rise in cholera outbreaks is attributed to factors such as conflict, climate change, inadequate sanitation, poverty, and population displacement.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has published alarming global cholera statistics for 2023, revealing a 13% increase in reported cases and a 71% rise in deaths compared to the previous year. More than 4,000 people died from cholera in 2023, a preventable and treatable disease.

Forty-five countries reported cholera cases in 2023, up from 44 in 2022 and 35 in 2021. Children under five accounted for 38% of cases. Cholera, an acute intestinal infection spread through contaminated food and water, disproportionately affects communities with limited access to sanitation.

The rise in cholera outbreaks is attributed to factors such as conflict, climate change, inadequate sanitation, poverty, and population displacement. Africa saw a staggering 125% increase in cases, while the Middle East and Asia reported a 32% decrease. Many African countries recorded high community deaths, underscoring gaps in access to treatment.

Notably, 2023 marked the first year multiple countries reported "community deaths" from cholera, deaths occurring outside health facilities. In five of the 13 reporting countries, over one-third of cholera deaths occurred in the community.

Countries like Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, and Somalia reported over 10,000 cases each, with Ethiopia, Haiti, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe joining the list of countries battling large outbreaks.

The cholera crisis continues into 2024, with 22 countries already reporting active outbreaks. As of August 2024, 342,800 cases and 2,400 deaths have been recorded.

The demand for cholera control materials, including oral cholera vaccines (OCV) and rehydration supplies, remains high. Since October 2022, the International Coordinating Group (ICG) has shifted to a single-dose vaccination strategy to manage limited vaccine supplies. In 2023, 35 million OCV doses were shipped globally despite shortages.

While vaccination is crucial, WHO emphasizes that long-term solutions lie in providing safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene. WHO continues to respond to cholera outbreaks through enhanced surveillance, case management, and public health measures.

However, funding challenges persist. WHO has released $18 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies since 2022 and is appealing for $50 million to address cholera outbreaks in 2024, though the target remains unmet.