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October 20, 2024
Geneva — The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Friday that the global stockpile of oral cholera vaccines has been exhausted, jeopardizing efforts to contain the spread of the deadly disease. Despite vaccine production running at full capacity, demand continues to exceed supply, putting millions of lives at risk in regions grappling with outbreaks.
“As of October 14, the global stockpile of oral cholera vaccine is depleted, with no remaining doses available,” the WHO stated in its monthly situation report. This critical shortage has already impacted response efforts in multiple countries, and it poses a significant challenge in controlling further spread.
While additional doses are expected in the coming weeks, WHO warned that the current gap in vaccine availability could lead to a surge in cholera cases globally. The agency has received requests for 8.4 million doses of the oral cholera vaccine between September 1 and October 14 from Bangladesh, Sudan, Niger, Ethiopia, and Myanmar. However, only 7.6 million doses were able to be shipped due to limited availability.
Spike in Deaths Amidst Lower Case Numbers
According to WHO data, there have been 439,724 reported cholera cases and 3,432 deaths worldwide as of September 29. Although the overall number of cases has decreased by 16% compared to last year, the sharp 126% increase in deaths is deeply concerning. The surge in mortality rates has been attributed to outbreaks occurring in conflict-ridden and flood-affected areas where healthcare access is limited, and timely treatment is difficult to administer.
Since last month, new outbreaks have emerged in Niger, where 705 cases and 17 deaths were recorded, and Thailand, which reported five cases but no deaths. These new cases bring the total number of affected countries in 2024 to 30. In September alone, 47,234 new cases were reported from 14 countries. Furthermore, a case of cholera has been detected in conflict-hit Lebanon, raising fears of a wider outbreak given the deteriorating sanitation conditions for displaced populations.
Global Efforts to Address the Crisis
Cholera is an acute intestinal infection that spreads through contaminated food and water, often due to poor sanitation conditions. The disease is fast-acting and can cause severe diarrhea, vomiting, and muscle cramps, leading to death within hours if left untreated. However, oral rehydration and antibiotics can effectively treat most cases.
Efforts to replenish the global cholera vaccine supply have been complicated by the fact that only one supplier, the South Korean firm EuBiologics, is currently producing oral cholera vaccines for the stockpile. The Gavi vaccine alliance and UNICEF, along with WHO, are working to bring new manufacturers into the market in the coming years. However, until then, the shortage continues to hinder the international community’s ability to effectively control cholera outbreaks.
With cholera outbreaks affecting vulnerable populations in conflict zones and areas prone to natural disasters, the WHO’s warning serves as a critical call for renewed global attention and resources to bolster vaccine production and distribution. Without sufficient vaccine coverage, millions remain at risk, particularly in regions where healthcare systems are already struggling to meet the demands of the ongoing outbreaks.
Conclusion
As the world grapples with increasing cholera deaths and the depletion of vaccine stockpiles, WHO’s latest update underscores the urgent need for enhanced international collaboration and support. The race to contain this preventable yet deadly disease continues, but with current vaccine shortages, many countries will face an uphill battle in safeguarding their populations from cholera’s devastating impact.
