Background on Cholera and its Global Impact
Cholera, a preventable and treatable disease caused by the bacterium ‘Vibrio cholerae’, continues to pose a significant threat worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported over 560,000 cholera cases in 2024, marking a 5% increase from the previous year. This rise has resulted in more than 6,000 fatalities, a 50% increase compared to 2023.
Geographical Distribution and Key Countries
The majority of these cases have been concentrated in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, accounting for 98% of all reported instances. Twelve countries have reported over 10,000 cases each, including Bangladesh, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Comoros’ First Outbreak in 15 Years
Notably, the recent cholera outbreak in Comoros marks the first in 15 years, highlighting the WHO’s concern alongside the cases reported in 70 countries in 2024, compared to 45 in the preceding year.
Underlying Factors and WHO’s Recommendations
The WHO emphasizes that the reported figures underestimate the true burden of cholera. Factors such as ongoing conflicts, climate change, population displacement, and long-term deficiencies in water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure continue to fuel the cholera outbreak.
Moreover, a quarter of all global deaths have occurred outside healthcare facilities, underscoring the inadequacies in healthcare delivery. The WHO urges governments, donors, and communities to ensure access to clean water and sanitation facilities, disseminate accurate information on protection measures, and provide rapid access to treatment and vaccination during outbreaks.
- Question:
The WHO has reported over 560,000 cholera cases in 2024, a 5% increase from 2023. This rise has led to more than 6,000 fatalities, a 50% increase compared to the previous year. - Question:
Africa, the Middle East, and Asia have experienced 98% of all cholera cases. Notable countries with over 10,000 cases each are Bangladesh, Comoros, DRC, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. - Question:
Conflicts, climate change, population displacement, and long-term deficiencies in water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure are key factors fueling the cholera outbreak. - Question:
The WHO urges governments, donors, and communities to ensure access to clean water and sanitation facilities, disseminate accurate protection information, and provide rapid access to treatment and vaccination during outbreaks.
Prequalification of a New Oral Vaccine in 2024
Despite the ongoing crisis, the WHO prequalified the innovative oral ‘Euvichol-S’ vaccine early in 2024. This development helped maintain average stock levels above the emergency threshold of five million doses during the first six months of 2025.
However, a temporary change to a single-dose regimen was implemented due to the persistent high demand for oral vaccines. In 2024, 61 million doses were requested for global reserve, with a record-breaking approval of 40 million for emergency use in single-dose reactive campaigns across 16 countries.
Although the protection duration of a single dose is shorter than with two, this strategy has proven “effective” in addressing outbreaks.
The WHO maintains a high global risk assessment for cholera and is responding swiftly to reduce deaths and contain outbreaks in countries worldwide. The organization remains committed to supporting nations in strengthening public health surveillance, case management, preventive measures, supplying essential medical products, coordinating on-the-ground operations, and fostering risk communication and community engagement.
