2023-10-05 12:25:00
Cholera is seen by many as an old disease that no longer circulates. But she is always present and is spreading more and more. “After decades of progress in the fight once morest cholera cases are increasing once moreeven in countries that had not experienced the disease for years,” explains the World Health Organization (WHO). Thus, the latter is keeping an eye on it to avoid a pandemic.
In a recent report published on September 22, 2023the WHO reveals an upsurge in cases around the world and insists on the importance of taking measures to contain the various epidemics.
Cholera: what is this pathology?
Cholera is an acute intestinal infection, caused by the bacteria Vibrio cholerae. The latter is only transmitted to humans, via consumption. water or food contaminated with feces. As the WHO specifies, this infection is: “closely linked to the absence of drinking water and sanitation, in contexts of underdevelopment, poverty and conflict. Climate change is also playing a role in this upsurge, as extreme weather events such as floods, droughts and cyclones cause new epidemics and aggravate existing ones.
According to health authorities, less than 25% of infected people have symptoms. Among those who have them, 10 to 20% develop a severe form. In these cases, incubation can take a few hours to several days. It is characterized by diarrhea and vomiting, without fever. However, in the most serious cases, if no treatment is prescribed, cholera can be fatal. “Cholera is one of the most rapidly fatal infectious diseases: death occurs within 1 to 3 days, due to cardiovascular collapse in 25 to 50% of cases“, details the Pasteur Institute. Mortality mainly affects fragile people such as the elderly or children.
Cholera cases doubled in 2022
If cholera seems far behind us, it continues to contaminate and kill. In recent years, cases of contamination have been increasing, leading to increased monitoring by the WHO. In its latest report for 2022, the WHO notes an increase in cases. “The data currently available for 2023 suggest that this resurgence continues on a global scale. Outbreaks are active in 24 countries, some of which are in acute crisis situation“, details the report. If contaminations have increased, the geographical distribution has also evolved.
“Good that data on cholera remains insufficientthe number of cases reported to WHO in 2022 more than doubled compared to 2021. Forty-four countries reported cases, an increase of 25% compared to the 35 countries which reported in 2021“, details the report. Thus, the researchers emphasize the importance of declaring cases, even if there are none, in order to keep track of the virus. As an indication, 36 countries reported 0 cases last year. In addition, seven countries reported more than 10,000 suspected or confirmed cases during this year. Medisite presents them to you.
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