"The last outbreak of cholera in Britain was in 1866; in the United States there has not been an outbreak since 1911. And yet today people are sick with this ancient disease in 32 countries, with more than 6,800 deaths reported so far this year already exceeding all of last year's toll of 6,000 deaths, which was itself a 50% increase on 2023."
"Cholera is the definitive disease of deprivation. It persists not for lack of science or solutions, but because leaders have failed to act with the urgency and commitment the crisis demands. A consortium of more than 50 partners, led by the World Health Organization (WHO), is responding to these outbreaks through the Global Task Force on Cholera Control a partnership established in 1992 to enable access to essential supplies."
Cholera is causing illness in 32 countries and has produced more than 6,800 deaths this year, surpassing last year's 6,000 deaths, which had risen 50% over 2023. The most severe outbreaks are in Africa, where conflict accelerates spread and hampers control efforts. Cholera is transmitted by ingesting bacteria in food or water contaminated with faeces and is prevented only by universal access to safe water and sanitation. The disease concentrates in communities affected by inequality, poverty, displacement and climate-related disasters. Vaccines exist, with oral vaccines introduced in the 1980s, but development and manufacturing remain limited by lack of commercial market incentives. A WHO-led Global Task Force and a continental Africa emergency response plan are mobilized to improve detection, prevention, treatment and access to essential supplies.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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