Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: One was killed, another injured in a raid by an Israeli drone on the city of Khiam in South Lebanon
London views possibility of setting fire to tanker in port of friendly country to Russia to damage port infrastructure, initiate an international probe: Moscow
One of London's scenarios involves setting up accident with 'undesirable' tanker in one of the bottlenecks of maritime communications: Russian foreign intelligence agency
London plans to organize major sabotage with tankers to declare transportation of Russian oil to international shipping: Russian foreign intelligence agency
UK intelligence agencies plan to use NATO allies to launch massive raid on 'Shadow Fleet': Russian foreign intelligence agency
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.

Climate change fuelling cholera surge: WHO

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 16 Dec 2022 18:35
3 Min Read

Major droughts, unprecedented floods in certain parts of the world, and cyclones have amplified most of the recent epidemics.

  • x
  • Cholera in Haiti (Photo: Andres Martinez Casares, Reuters)
    In Haiti, more than 1,200 cases are confirmed, more than 14,000 cases are suspected, and more than 280 are reported deaths. (Photo: Andres Martinez Casares, Reuters)

Climate change is fuelling a global cholera outbreak, the World Health Organization said Friday, warning that vaccine shortages have worsened the situation, which will not be any better soon if measures are not taken.

The WHO is addressing cholera upsurges in 29 countries, including Haiti, where more than 1,200 cases are confirmed, more than 14,000 cases are suspected, and more than 280 are reported deaths.

Read: Haiti investigates suspected Cholera cases after one case confirmed

Haiti received this week almost 1.2 million doses of oral cholera vaccines, but according to the WHO, vaccine stockpiles were extremely low, and manufacturers were not happy about producing a vaccine mainly aimed at some of the poorest countries in the world.

"If we don't control the outbreak now, the situation will get worse and worse," the WHO's team lead on cholera, Philippe Barboza, told reporters in Geneva, adding that fatality rates are extremely high for most of the countries the UN health agency has data about.

Cholera is an acute bacterial infection that is transmitted via contaminated foods or water. 

If left untreated, the disease can be fatal, with the main symptom being severe diarrhea. Most people, however, recover after exhibiting mild symptoms with the help of oral rehydration.

Related News

Plastic crisis fuels pollution, illness, and climate chaos

Unusually high number of jellyfish arrive in UK seas

"The factors which drive cholera are still the same: poverty, vulnerability and people who do not have access to clean water," Barboza said.

These are heightened by conflict, natural disasters, and humanitarian crises which reduce access to drinking water.

"But this year, we have a factor which is even more important: the direct impact of climate change, with a succession of major droughts, unprecedented floods in certain parts of the world, and cyclones which have amplified most of these epidemics," he said.

While there had been other epidemics in certain countries before, they had not happened all together, as is the case now, Barboza noted.

Cholera can kill within hours indeed, but it can also be treated with simple oral rehydration and antibiotics for cases that are more severe. However, the lack of timely access to the treatment is a problem.

Ensuring access to clean water and improving surveillance prevent outbreaks.

"It is not acceptable in the 21st century to have people dying of a disease which is very well-known and very easy to treat," said Barboza, adding that the "fight against cholera is not lost. We can win it."

This year, about 36 million cholera vaccine doses were produced.

  • Cholera
  • Climate change

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS