Sharp rise in cholera cases reported worldwide in past year - WHO

The number of cholera cases around the world have more than doubled in the past year, according to new figures from the World Health Organisation (WHO).

In 2022, some 470,000 cases were reported, a dramatic rise from the figure of 220,000 cases the previous year, the WHO said on Sunday.

However, the WHO's experts believe that data on the situation is still insufficient, and in an earlier estimate, the organization had forecast 1.3 to 4 million illnesses and up to 143,000 deaths annually.

Afghanistan, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Nigeria, Somalia and Syria were particularly affected in a year of particularly large outbreaks of the disease, the WHO said.

Cholera outbreaks are closely linked to inadequate drinking water supplies, poverty and conflict, and the larger the outbreak, the more difficult it is to bring it under control, the WHO said.

A total of 44 countries reported cholera cases, nine more than the year before. A total of 2,349 deaths were reported to the WHO.

Current data for 2023 suggests that the global increase in cholera numbers will continue, the WHO said. Currently, 24 countries report that they are experiencing outbreaks.

Cholera often follows natural disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons or floods. Recently, fears were raised that the disease could break out after the flood disaster in Libya.

The highly contagious diarrhoeal disease is caused by Vibrio cholerae bacteria, which form a toxin in the intestine. The main causes are drinking water contaminated with faeces or vomit from sick people and contaminated food.

Many infections are asymptomatic. But in severe cases, the loss of fluid and salt can lead to circulatory collapse, muscle cramps and even shock and death within hours. There are oral vaccinations against cholera.