WHO Appeals for Assistance as Cholera Outbreak Escalates in Nigeria, Six Other Nations
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued an urgent appeal for $160.4 million to address the growing cholera crisis in seven countries, utilizing the global strategic preparedness, readiness, and response plan.
In a statement released on Monday, the United Nations’ global health agency revealed that $16.6 million has already been allocated from the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies to support cholera response efforts in 2022 and 2023.
The affected countries include Afghanistan, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Nigeria, Somalia, and the Syrian Arab Republic.
According to a recent analysis, the world is witnessing a resurgence of cholera cases.
The WHO cited comprehensive cholera data for 2022, which highlighted the magnitude and scope of the ongoing cholera upsurge. Although cholera data remains incomplete, reported cases to WHO in 2022 more than doubled those in 2021.
Forty-four countries reported cases, representing a 25% increase compared to the 35 countries that reported cases in 2021.
Read Also: Cholera Kills 35 Persons, 150 Hospitalized Within 48 Hours In Borno
The WHO stressed that larger outbreaks are typically more challenging to control.
The organization further indicated that current data for 2023 suggests that the global cholera upsurge is ongoing, with twenty-four countries presently reporting active outbreaks, some of which are in acute crises.
The increased demand for cholera materials has placed significant pressure on global disease control efforts. Since October 2022, the International Coordinating Group (ICG), responsible for managing emergency vaccine supplies, has altered its approach to cholera outbreak response campaigns. Instead of the standard two-dose vaccination regimen, a single-dose approach is being utilized.
