WHO will distribute cholera tests to 14 countries – 04/05/2024 – Health

The WHO (World Health Organization) and associated entities began, this Friday, the 5th, a campaign to distribute 1.2 million cholera diagnostic tests in 14 countries to contain the increase in cases of the disease.

Malawi was the first to receive the test kits which, in the coming weeks, will also reach countries such as Ethiopia, Somalia, Syria and Zambia, classified by the WHO as “severely affected by cholera epidemics”.

The test distribution program is developed by the organization in partnership with Gavi (World Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization), which finances and coordinates, together with Unicef ​​(United Nations Children’s Fund), responsible for supplying the tests. The CTFCC (World Task Force for Cholera Control) is also one of the supporters.

“We are facing an unprecedented multi-year resurgence of cholera cases around the world and today’s announcement gives a decisive boost to the fight against the disease,” said Aurelia Nguyen, program director at Gavi, in a statement.

The disease is contracted by a bacteria usually transmitted through contaminated water or food. Symptoms include diarrhea and vomiting. Cholera is particularly more dangerous for young children.

In recent years, there has been an increase in cases around the world. In 2022, 473 thousand were registered, double the previous year, and preliminary data indicate that, in 2023, they reached more than 700 thousand.

The availability of oral cholera vaccines increased more than 18 times between 2013 and 2023, but the rapid spread of the disease in recent years has caused a global shortage of the vaccine, according to a WHO note.