Cholera cases decrease by 60%

The World Health Organization reports an encouraging trend thanks to the progress of prevention and control in countries with the highest incidence of the disease, such as Haiti, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In , , cases of cholera and , deaths were recorded as a result of the disease, figures that represent % less than the global incidence, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported this Thursday. A new WHO study prepared with data from countries attributes the encouraging progress to prevention and control measures in the main outbreak centers, located in Haiti, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. According to the director of the WHO, “the decrease observed in the countries with the highest incidence of the disease demonstrates a stronger commitment of nations to the efforts to stop and prevent cholera and demonstrates the crucial role of prevention campaigns.



Mass vaccination against cholera.” Water, hygiene and sanitation “However, we will continue to emphasize that the long-term solution to ending cholera is to increase the population's Iraq Telegram Number Data access to drinking water and provide adequate conditions for hygiene and sanitation,” stressed Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The report indicates that although outbreaks have continued to occur in several countries in , the figures suggest that the downward trend in the transmission of the disease has continued throughout the year. Last year, nearly million doses of oral cholera vaccine were shipped to eleven countries. Since the stockpile of these vaccines was created in , almost million doses have been distributed around the world. Gavi, the vaccine alliance, has provided the funds to purchase them and finances support for global immunization campaigns.







Strategy against cholera The plan for the control and elimination of cholera in the long term, presented in October , aims to reduce deaths from the disease by % and eliminate transmission in countries by That plan's strategy, which includes a framework for national programs, emphasizes three key points for cholera control: Rapid detection and rapid response to contain outbreaks A multisectoral approach that integrates enhanced surveillance, vaccination, community mobilization and safe water, hygiene and sanitation to prevent outbreaks in cholera-endemic countries An effective coordination mechanism for technical support, resource mobilization and alliances at the local and global levels Dr. Tedros stated that this plan is a clear guide to avoid and eliminate the condition. “All deaths from cholera can be avoided with the tools we have today,” he asserted.