Geneva: Cholera, which is spreading continuously these days, has increased the concern of the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) said that cases of cholera, which were under control for years, have started increasing. This is also an increasing concern. The magnitude of the outbreak of cholera can be understood from the fact that in the first 9 months of this year, 26 countries reported increasing cases of this disease. The WHO said that between 2017 and 2021, cholera was spread in less than 20 countries.
Philip Barboza, the leader of the WHO’s cholera-diarrhea team, said – for years there was a decline in cholera cases. But, now we are seeing an alarming increase in cases in the world. Cholera cases are continuously coming to the fore since last year. He said that only the cases are not increasing, rather, the outbreak itself is huge and deadly.
The death rate increased three times
According to Philip, the death rate of those who died of cholera in the year 2021 is three times compared of the last 5 years. He told that the reason for this is poverty, the struggle of life, and change in the weather. Floods, storms, and droughts cause a lack of clean water. This gives a positive environment for cholera to flourish. If the weather keeps changing and we do not take care, then the situation will become dire.
The demand for vaccines is high, but the supply is negligible
Significantly, the WHO does not have a clear figure for those who died of cholera, because many countries do not even calculate it. Barboza said that there are limited numbers of cholera vaccines. According to its demand, it is not being fulfilled. Few lakhs of cholera vaccines are left. She will be finished by the end of this year. There is neither a vaccine to prevent this disease, nor can a campaign for awareness to be run on time. Experts say that there is only one company that makes cholera vaccines. Those companies with whom they make vaccines have to bear their own expenses. Therefore these companies do not take much interest in making vaccines.
