The number of cases of cholera rose dramatically last year, research shows preliminary data from the World Health Organizationwhich recorded 4,000 cholera deaths and 667,000 cases worldwide.
The numbers surpassed those of 2022, and the WHO has classified the global resurgence of cholera as a Grade 3 emergency. the highest internal health emergency level.
The outbreaks were deadliest in Malawi and Haiti, where deaths reached 1,771 and 1,156 respectively, making it the worst outbreak in Malawi’s history.
“The unprecedented number of cases and deaths is terrifying and completely overwhelming these countries’ healthcare systems,” said Machinda Marongwe, Oxfam’s Southern Africa Program Director. “The outbreak is evolving into an uncontrollable health crisis.”
At least 30 other countries have reported cases since early 2024. Zambia reported 7,500 new cases since October and saw 500 new cases and 17 deaths this week in just 24 hours.
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has urged people to leave cities and return to rural areas as schools remain closed to prevent further spread. There have been reports of unrest fueled by disinformation about the outbreak from neighboring Mozambique.
At least three people were killed during an outbreak of violence this week in northern Mozambique, when attackers set fire to buildings amid accusations the government had deliberately spread the disease.
“Governments and agencies in the region need immediate funding to quickly implement activities and projects that would help improve people’s hygiene and access to clean water as these two factors are crucial in the fight against the spread,” Marongwe said .
Cholera is a bacterial disease that spreads through contaminated water and food and causes profuse diarrhea and vomiting.
Given the spread of the outbreak to new countries and the global shortage of cholera vaccines, the WHO said it continued to assess the risk level of the disease as “very high”.
Earlier last year, Gavi, an international vaccine alliance, said it expected the global shortage to continue at least until 2025.
The outbreak of the water-borne disease has been further exacerbated by natural disasters and floods. Last year, East Africa saw that devastating floodsreinforced by the climate crisis.