Geneva:Ending cholera as a public health threat by 2030 is considered achievable, with existing tools capable of preventing every cholera death, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced on Tuesday.
According to Emirates News Agency, last year marked the deadliest year for cholera since 1999, with almost 7,900 deaths, as reported by Dr. Lorenzo Pezzoli, WHO's lead for epidemic-prone bacterial diseases, during a press briefing in Geneva.
Dr. Pezzoli highlighted that most fatalities occurred at the community level before patients could access healthcare. Although deaths decreased in the first nine months of 2026, more than 3,000 people have succumbed to the preventable and treatable disease, with nearly 90% of these deaths occurring in Africa.
Dr. Pezzoli emphasized that access to clean water, basic sanitation, and nearby health centers is crucial for patient recovery. However, in situations such as crowded camps or villages isolated by conflict, cholera can become fatal within hours. The situation could be exacerbated by El Niño, as it affects water availability, which in turn fuels the disease.
The WHO has distributed 71 million doses of cholera vaccine. Dr. Pezzoli stated that sufficient clean water and sanitation facilities are key to eradicating cholera permanently, though ongoing conflicts pose significant challenges.