Via 4000 people died from the disease last year, up 71 percent from 2022. The number of reported cases also increased by 13 percent.
Cholera is an acute intestinal infection spread through contaminated food and water. Although preventable and easily treated, communities with limited sanitation are most affected.
Conflict, climate change, lack of clean water and sanitation, poverty, underdevelopment and population displacement due to emerging and re-emerging conflicts as well as natural disasters contributed to the increase in cholera outbreaks last year.
Changes in geographic distribution
The geographic distribution of cholera changed significantly from 2022 to 2023, with reported cases in the Middle East and Asia decreasing by 32% and cases in Africa increasing by 125%.
This is the first year many countries have reported “community deaths” occurring outside health facilities.
In five of the 13 reporting countries, more than one-third of cholera deaths occurred in the community, highlighting serious gaps in access to treatment and the need to strengthen this response sector.
While Afghanistan reported the highest number of cases with 222,249, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique and Haiti also continued to report significant outbreaks with more than 30,000 cases each.
The global cholera crisis continues into 2024 as 22 countries are currently reporting outbreaks, although the number of cases reported so far in 2024 is lower than the same period last year according to preliminary data.
One-dose strategy works
Despite low levels of oral cholera vaccine, a record 35 million doses were delivered last year, using a single-dose strategy to reach and protect more people due to limited supplies.
While vaccination is an important tool, safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene remain the only long-term and sustainable solutions to end cholera outbreaks and prevent future outbreaks.
WHO is responding urgently to reduce deaths and contain the outbreak in countries around the world. The UN agency continues to support countries through enhanced public health surveillance, case management and prevention measures, along with the provision of essential medical supplies.
