The World Health Organisation (WHO) has expressed concern over a global shortage of cholera vaccines, as existing supplies have failed to keep up with demand.
A total of 105 million doses have been requested by 18 countries since January 2023, but only 55 million doses have been produced in the same period, according to World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The WHO has called for greater investment in vaccine production. It is also urging all countries concerned to reinforce water and sanitation facilities so as to impede any potential outbreaks of the disease.
The global risk associated with cholera remains “very high,” according to a monthly epidemiological bulletin issued by the WHO.
A total of 307,433 cholera cases and 2,326 fatalities were reported in 26 countries from 1 January to 28 July this year, the global health organisation reported.
The Eastern Mediterranean region recorded the highest incidence of the disease, followed by Africa, Southeast Asia, North and South America, and Europe. No outbreaks were reported in the Western Pacific region during this period.
Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the Vibrio cholerae bacterium.
