The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a significant increase in cholera cases worldwide, with nearly 195,000 cases and over 1,900 deaths across 24 countries since the beginning of the year.
According to WHO's latest data, the Eastern Mediterranean Region has the highest number of cases, followed by the African, American, Southeast Asian, and European Regions. Notably, no cases have been reported in the Western Region.
In a recent statement, WHO highlighted that its global stockpile of Oral Cholera Vaccines (OCV) was depleted by March. However, by early June, the agency managed to exceed the emergency target of five million doses for the first time in 2024. Despite this, the demand for the vaccine far surpasses the supply, with 16 countries requesting 92 million doses since January last year—nearly double the 49 million produced in that period.
WHO, in collaboration with the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other partners, is working to develop long-term solutions to combat cholera.
Chad Eradicates Sleeping Sickness
In a positive development, WHO announced that Chad has successfully eradicated "sleeping sickness" as a public health issue. The gambiense form of human African trypanosomiasis, commonly known as sleeping sickness, has been eliminated, marking a significant achievement for the country.
WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus congratulated Chad's government and people for this milestone. “It is great to see Chad join the growing group of countries that have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease (NTD),” he said. Chad is now among approximately 50 countries that have eradicated such diseases, bringing the 100-country target set for 2030 closer to realization.
Sleeping sickness, if untreated, can lead to severe neurological symptoms and death. The eradication in Chad is attributed to improved access to early diagnosis, treatment, and effective surveillance and response systems.
