CHOLERA
- SCI & TECH
News:
World reported twice as
many cholera cases in 2022 as in 2021: WHO | Data
What's
in the news?
●
Cholera is a water-borne disease caused by
two strains called O1 and O139 of
the bacteria Vibrio cholerae.
Key
takeaways:
●
Of these, O1 is responsible for almost all
outbreaks; outbreaks of O139 are rare and none have been recorded outside Asia.
●
According to the World Health Organization
(WHO)’s weekly epidemiological record, published on September 22, the world
reported more than twice as many cholera cases in 2022 as it did in 2021.
●
Most cholera cases continue to be reported
from Africa and Asia, with Europe accounting for a few “imported cases”.
Cholera
disease:
●
It is a life-threatening infectious disease and a public health hazard.
●
It is an acute, diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with
the bacterium Vibrio cholera.
Transmission:
●
It is transmitted to humans through water or food which is
contaminated with the cholera bacterium.
●
The disease can spread rapidly in areas
with inadequate treatment of sewage and drinking water.
Symptoms:
●
Profuse watery diarrhoea, vomiting, leg
cramps etc.
Prevention
Measures:
●
A multifaceted approach is key to control cholera,
and to reduce deaths.
●
A combination of surveillance, water,
sanitation and hygiene, social mobilization, treatment, and oral cholera
vaccines are used.
Vaccines:
●
Currently, there are three WHO pre-qualified oral cholera vaccines (OCV), Dukoral, Shanchol
and Euvichol-Plus. All three vaccines require two doses for full
protection.
Global
Initiatives:
1.
Ending Cholera:
●
A Global
Roadmap to 2030, a global cholera control strategy was introduced in 2017.
Its goal is to reduce cholera mortality by 90%.
2.
Global Task Force for Cholera Control (GTFCC):
●
In order to support WHO's efforts to
eradicate cholera, the GTFCC was reactivated.
●
The GTFCC's mission is to promote the
increased application of research-supported cholera control measures.