WHO: African countries need help fighting cholera
African countries are suffering from a cholera outbreak and climate change is playing a big role in the spread of the disease.
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Eliza Tangwe, 18, takes a dose of oral cholera vaccine at a health center in response to the latest cholera outbreak in Blantyre, Malawi, November 16, 2022. (Reuters)
African rainfalls exacerbated the cholera situation and increased its spread in the continent, according to the World Health Organization.
A World Health Organization official monitoring emergencies in Africa, Dr. Patrick Otim, called countries to send more aid to the cholera-infected continent.
Cholera is an extremely contagious diarrheal illness caused by a bacterial intestine infection. It mainly results from ingesting contaminated food or water.
Being a waterborne disease, and due to the drought taking place, the disease may quickly explode, making the situation more serious.
Read more: Climate change fuelling cholera surge: WHO
"So it's very important that we support these countries to be able to respond at the point where the outbreaks have not become too big," he stated.
Malawi's situation worsened in 2023 as 600 more cases were registered on a daily basis. The WHO said that Malawi is experiencing the deadliest cholera outbreak in its history, especially with increased rainfalls which led to decreasing control efforts.
A sharp increase in cases was witnessed in Mozambique since mid-December 2022. The cases were reported in five provinces.
Zambia notified the World Health Organization of outbreaks in its borders at the end of January 2023. The risk threatens neighboring countries Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
Overall, 12 African counties reported cholera outbreaks over the last few months including Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia.
The WHO warned that climate change and drought might increase cholera's spread, thus spreading the disease and leading many to malnutrition.
