What can be done to prevent the spread of cholera?
A multifaceted approach is key to controlling cholera and reducing deaths. First and foremost, ensuring that every child has access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation is essential. It’s also important that children in communities at risk have access to the WHO pre-qualified oral cholera vaccines.
Furthermore, community engagement plays an important role. Effective and engaging programmes can help to promote protective hygiene measures such as handwashing with soap and the safe disposal of faeces.
Additionally, given that cholera is an easily treatable disease, quick access to treatments during an outbreak, including oral rehydration solution, zinc and antibiotics is crucial. With early and proper treatment, the fatality rate should remain below one per cent.
Effective surveillance systems are also necessary to monitor and control the spread of cholera. The surveillance data gathered should be translated into accessible information that can be used effectively at a local, national and global level.
Where in the world are we seeing cholera outbreaks?
In recent years, we’ve seen a surge in the number of cholera outbreaks globally. In the second half of 2021, countries in West Africa were particularly affected.
Meanwhile, an outbreak in Haiti in 2022 had a significant impact on children. There have been thousands of suspected cases, resulting in hundreds of deaths in that country. UNICEF has warned that about 40 per cent of the cases in Haiti are among children. The country is dealing with the aftermath of natural disasters, political instability, continued clashes between armed groups and a deepening nutrition crisis.
In addition to the spread of cholera in West Africa and the crisis in Haiti, we’ve also witnessed recent cholera outbreaks in the Middle East, including in Syria and Lebanon. Thousands of cases have been detected, which has resulted in dozens of preventable deaths. Other neighboring countries are at significant risk.
UNICEF is working tirelessly to respond to these outbreaks in these impacted countries and regions.
