Cholera: WHO Announces Over 1,900 Deaths, 195,000 Cases Globally
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed a cumulative death of 194, 897 deaths and 1,932 cases globally as a result of a cholera outbreak.
A statement issued by the health organisation’s Eastern Mediterranean Region stated that the outbreaks were recorded from the 1st of January, 2024 to the 26th of May, 2024.
The cases were reported from 24 countries across five WHO regions with the Eastern Mediterranean Region recording the highest numbers followed by the African Region, the Region of the Americas, the South-East Asia Region, and the European Region.
No outbreaks were reported in the Western Pacific Region during this time.
“The global stockpile of Oral Cholera Vaccines (OCV) was depleted until early March but exceeded the emergency target of 5 million doses in early June for the first time in 2024. As of 10 June 2024, the stockpile has 6.2 million doses. However, demand for the vaccine continues to outpace supply. Since January 2023, 92 million OCV doses were requested by 16 countries, nearly double the 49 million doses produced during this period,” it said.
By March, the UN health agency said it exhausted its global stockpile of Oral Cholera Vaccines (OCV). Regardless, it was able to exceed “the emergency target of five million doses in early June for the first time in 2024”.
WHO reported that 16 countries requested 92 million doses of OCV since January last year – almost double the 49 million produced during that time.
It further said it was working with other partners such as the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and others to use resources to find long-term solutions for cholera.
