Urgent Action Needed: Cholera Crisis Threatens Millions

The International Coordinating Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision has sounded a dire call for immediate action to confront the surge in cholera cases worldwide. Urgent measures are imperative to enhance access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene, along with the rapid production of affordable oral cholera vaccine (OCV) doses. Failure to act swiftly jeopardizes the health and well-being of millions worldwide, underscored the ICG.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), global cholera cases have soared since 2021, with over 473,000 cases reported in 2022—more than double the previous year. Preliminary data for 2023 show a further increase, surpassing 700,000 cases. Regionally, some outbreaks exhibited a high fatality rate, exceeding the 1% threshold for adequate treatment. This surge is particularly concerning given that the disease is preventable and treatable.

The severe shortage of OCV doses intensifies pressure on the global stockpile, according to the ICG. They detail that between 2021 and 2023, more doses were requested for outbreak response than in the entire previous decade. In fact, an acute shortage in October 2022 forced the ICG to recommend a single vaccine dose. Last year, approximately 36 million doses were produced; however, demand far outstripped supply, with affected countries like the Sub-Saharan region requiring 72 million doses alone for a one-dose reactive strategy.

Cholera, an acute intestinal infection, spreads through contaminated food and water. Its rise is fueled by persistent gaps in access to safe water and sanitation, compounded by climate change, economic insecurity, conflict, and displacement. The ICG emphasizes the need for a multi-sectoral response, urging nations to ensure access to clean water, hygiene, sanitation services, and crucial information.

In Mexico, recent water shortage issues have heightened the looming threat of cholera. With clean water resources in short supply, the risk of cholera outbreaks escalates, as access to safe water is crucial in preventing the spread of the disease. Given cholera's propensity to thrive in unsanitary conditions, this poses a significant public health challenge for the country.

"In the absence of a functional drinking water network, there is a looming threat of waterborne diseases, primarily gastroenteritis, although other diseases like salmonellosis or diarrhea are also possible," Alejandro Macías, Health Expert,tells Radio Fórmula.

Global production capacity for OCV in 2024 is estimated to range between 37 and 50 million doses, which remains insufficient to address the needs of millions directly impacted by the disease. Urgent efforts to fast-track additional manufacturers are crucial to combat the scenario.