The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a report indicating that cholera cases have seen a twofold increase in recent years.
As per the organization's findings, in 2022, there were over 472,000 recorded cases of cholera, a significant rise compared to the 223,000 cases reported in 2021. Cholera outbreaks have been identified in 44 different countries, with the disease spreading to 35 new countries last year.
The WHO points out that Afghanistan, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Nigeria, Somalia, and Syria were the countries most severely affected by cholera in the past year. Several factors have contributed to the rise in cholera epidemics, including conflicts, the impacts of climate change, limited investment in a country's development, and increased migration. The organization also highlights that the end of COVID-19 restrictions, reduced infection prevention and control measures, and decreased funding for epidemic control have all had an impact on various diseases, including cholera.
Cholera has a mortality rate of 0.5%, resulting in 2,349 deaths in the reported cases. WHO experts emphasize that there is still insufficient data available about this infection, with an estimated annual prediction of 1.3mn to 4mn cases of the disease and up to 143,000 associated deaths.
Cholera is classified as an acute diarrheal infection, often caused by the consumption of contaminated food and water. Its symptoms include diarrhea, muscle spasms, sudden physical changes such as bulging eyes, blue lips and ears, cold skin despite normal or low body temperature, shortness of breath, and severe weakness.
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