Cholera is a severe illness caused by Vibrio cholerae bacteria. There are different strains of this bacteria, but only two are known to cause outbreaks. Symptoms include sudden watery diarrhoea and vomiting which often leads to dehydration. If left untreated, over half of the people with the most severe cases die within a few hours of the symptoms developing. It spreads mainly via the faecal-oral route, through people consuming water or food contaminated with the cholera bacteria from other people’s faeces (poo). Most cases of cholera occur in regions with poor sanitation, water and hygiene. Historically, cholera epidemics occurred globally, but in many countries, modern sanitation has largely controlled it. However, outbreaks still occur in vulnerable regions, particularly in Africa, or during humanitarian crises, where sanitation systems are disrupted, sewage contaminates water supplies, and people are unable to carry out basic hygiene practices. As of 1 February 2023, at least 18 countries continue to report cases of cholera, and the World Health Organization (WHO) expects this number to increase due to the ongoing humanitarian crises and a lack of sanitation in some countries. The death rate associated with these outbreaks is worrying, with many countries reporting higher death rates than in previous years. In 2021, the global average cholera death rate was 1.9%, with Africa experiencing a higher rate of 2.9%, the highest in over a decade. Preventing cholera is mostly about improving sanitation and hygiene, though vaccines can offer some protection. |