CHOLERA UPSURGE
### Cholera Resurgence: WHO Response and Current Situation
**Overview**
Cholera, an acute intestinal infection caused by the bacterium *Vibrio cholerae*, is spreading again after decades of progress. The disease, which is transmitted through contaminated food and water, can be fatal within hours if untreated but is preventable with access to safe water and sanitation.
**Current Situation**
- **Rise in Cases**: In 2022, 44 countries reported cholera cases, a 25% increase from the 35 countries in 2021. This upward trend has continued into 2023, with recent outbreaks being more deadly, showing the highest case fatality rates in over a decade.
- **Impact of Climate Change and Conflict**: Extreme climate events such as floods, cyclones, and droughts, alongside ongoing conflicts, are worsening the cholera situation by reducing access to clean water and creating favorable conditions for the bacteria to spread.
- **Global Response Challenges**: The increase in outbreaks is straining the global response capacity, exacerbated by a shortage of essential cholera tools, including vaccines.
**WHO Actions**
- **Global Risk Assessment**: WHO assesses the current global risk from cholera as very high.
- **Urgent Response**: WHO is mobilizing efforts to reduce deaths and contain outbreaks through:
- **Enhanced Surveillance**: Strengthening disease surveillance and response mechanisms.
- **Vaccination**: Addressing the shortage of cholera vaccines and prioritizing their distribution.
- **Improving Access**: Working to ensure access to safe water and sanitation in affected and at-risk areas.
- **Coordination with Partners**: Collaborating with global and local health partners to manage and mitigate outbreaks.
WHO's urgent response aims to curb the current surge in cholera cases, address shortages in essential tools, and mitigate the impacts of climate change and conflict on the spread of the disease.
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