The agency’s Eastern Mediterranean Region reported the highest number of cases, followed by the Africa Region, Americas Region, Southeast Asia Region and Europe Region.
No cases have been reported in the Western Pacific region, the agency said in a report. news issued on Wednesday.
Vaccines and revival
The United Nations health agency said it exhausted its global stock of cholera vaccines (OCV) in March but could exceed its “emergency target of 5 million doses by early June for the first time in 2024.” .
However, vaccine supply is not commensurate with demand.
WHO reports that since January last year, 16 countries have requested 92 million doses of OCV – almost double the 49 million produced in that period.
WHO, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other partners are working together to use resources to find a lasting solution to cholera.
Sleeping sickness has been eliminated in Chad
On the positive side of health news, WHO announced on Thursday that Chad had successfully eliminated “sleeping sickness” as a public health problem.
The agency applauds the Government and people of Chad for eliminating the gambiense form of African trypanosomosis, (also known as sleeping sickness).
“I congratulate the government and people of Chad for this achievement. It is great to see Chad join the growing group of countries that are eliminating at least one neglected tropical disease (NTD),” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO.
Target within reach
To eliminate the disease, Chad joined about 50 others globally who have succeeded in this effort.
“The 100 country target is closer and within reach,” Mr. Tedros added, referring to the target set in the roadmap to tackle neglected tropical diseases by 2030.
Sleeping sickness can initially cause flu-like symptoms but eventually causes behavioral changes, confusion, sleep cycle disorders or even coma, often leading to death.
Improved access to early diagnosis and treatment as well as surveillance and response have demonstrated that countries can control and eventually eliminate transmission.
