World Health Organization announces global resurgence of cholera cases in 2024
The UN World Health Organization (WHO) has announced a spike in cholera in several regions of the world, with almost 195,000 cases and over 1,900 deaths reported in 24 countries since the start of this year.
The agency’s Eastern Mediterranean Region reported the highest number of cases, followed by the African Region, the Region of the Americas, the Southeast Asia Region, and the European Region.
There were no reported cases in the Western Pacific Region, it said in a bulletin issued on Wednesday.
Vaccines and resurgence
The UN health agency said it exhausted its global stockpile of Oral Cholera Vaccines (OCV) by March but was able to exceed “the emergency target of five million doses in early June for the first time in 2024.”
Yet, the supply of the vaccine does not equate to its demand.
WHO reported that since January last year, 16 countries requested 92 million doses of OCV – almost double the 49 million produced during that time.
WHO, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other partners are working together to use resources to find long-term solutions for cholera.
Sleeping sickness eliminated in Chad
On the positive side of health news, WHO announced on Thursday that Chad successfully eradicated “sleeping sickness” as a public health problem.
The agency applauded the Government and people of Chad for eradicating the gambiense form of human African trypanosomiasis, (also known as sleeping sickness).
“I congratulate the government and the people of Chad for this achievement. It is great to see Chad join the growing group of countries that have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease (NTD),” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
Target within reach
In eliminating the disease, Chad joining some 50 others globally that have succeeded in this endeavour.
“The 100-country target is nearer and within reach,” Tedros added, referring to the target set out in the road map for address neglected tropical diseases by 2030.
Sleeping sickness can cause flu-like symptoms initially but eventually causing behaviour change, confusion, sleep cycle disturbances or even coma, often leading to death.
Improved access to early diagnosis and treatment, as well as surveillance and response has proven that countries can control and eventually eliminate transmission.
IBNS
Senior Staff Reporter at Northeast Herald, covering news from Tripura and Northeast India.
Related Articles
Decade of slowing deforestation offers hope for forests: FAO data
Lush, green and brimming with trees and wildlife, forests are the Earth’s lungs and source of livelihoods for many communities.
Tamil Nadu on high alert as northeast monsoon intensifies, bringing heavy rains; cyclone risk looms over Bay of Bengal
Several districts across Tamil Nadu are on high alert as the northeast monsoon intensifies following its early onset, raising fears of a potential cyclone formation over the Bay of Bengal.
Despite 77.5% drop in stubble burning, Delhi’s air quality hits a five-year post-Diwali low
Despite a 77.5 percent drop in stubble burning. long seen as a primary cause of Delhi’s winter smog, the capital’s air quality collapsed to a five-year post-Diwali low on Tuesday morning, with PM2.5 levels averaging 488 micrograms per cubic metre, nearly 100 times the World Health Organization’s exposure limit.
Pakistani health department begins investigating two deaths as dengue cases spike
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department has launched an investigation into the deaths of two people in Mardan, reportedly caused by dengue fever, as the province’s total number of infections rose to 3,638 with 37 new cases reported on Sunday.
Latest News
Molestation of Australian cricketers in Indore triggers outrage; opposition blames BJP for deteriorating law and order
'I will die': Distressed Indian man’s SOS video from Saudi Arabia goes viral; Indian embassy launches search
Politics cannot be done by force or communal provocation: CM
Tripura: Seven held for brutal assault on police officer
