More illnesses and even more deaths. This dangerous bacterium spreading worldwide
Which dangerous bacterium is spreading worldwide (collage by RBC-Ukraine)
The bacterium Vibrio causes an acute infectious gastrointestinal disease called cholera. It is treatable, but the incidence is rising worldwide.
What you need to know about it is explained by Strona Zdrowia.
More illnesses and even more deaths
In 2023, the number of cholera cases increased. Even more concerning is the sharp rise in deaths, despite the availability of effective treatment, warns the World Health Organization (WHO).
According to the latest report, compared to 2022, the number of cholera cases worldwide increased by 13% last year, but the number of deaths from cholera surged by 71%. Overall, over 4,000 people officially died from this bacterial disease, although effective treatments are available.
Dr. Philippe Barboza, head of the WHO's global cholera program, emphasized that it was unacceptable for the number of deaths to rise much faster than the number of cases.
However, the actual number of deaths is likely much higher, with WHO experts estimating that it could reach 100,000 in 2024.
What you need to know about cholera
Cholera is an acute infectious gastrointestinal disease caused by strains of Vibrio bacteria that produce enterotoxin. Infection occurs after consuming contaminated food or water. This disease is most commonly found in Africa and Asia.
It can be treated with antibiotics and by consuming large amounts of fluids to counteract dehydration and electrolyte deficiency. The mortality rate is relatively low, usually around 1%, but without treatment or if treatment is ineffective, it can be significantly higher.
Disease spreading to other countries
According to the World Health Organization, since 2021, the number of countries reporting cholera cases has increased by 38%. Infections have also been reported among children under 5 years old.
WHO experts believe that the rise in cholera cases is due to climate change, increased armed conflicts, lack of access to clean water, poor sanitation, and poverty. Not everyone has access to adequate medical care, particularly in Africa, where cholera incidence has increased by 125%. Reports of deaths occurring outside medical facilities are also more frequent.
In 2023, most cholera cases were reported in countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Somalia, Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. Outside of Africa, the highest numbers of cholera cases and deaths were recorded in Afghanistan and Haiti. However, these are only official figures.
As of August 22, 2024, the situation had not significantly changed, with 342,800 cases and 2,400 deaths reported, slightly fewer than during the same period in 2023. However, WHO still assesses the overall risk of cholera as very high.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
