Renewed Interest in Cholera Control

Abstract

Cholera is an ancient disease of significant public health importance accounting for approximately 1.3-4 million cases worldwide and about 21000–143,000 deaths. Cholera is endemic in many developing countries where sanitation is poor and lack in safe water. The disease has the potential to cause large-scale epidemics and pandemics. The ongoing seventh pandemic has spread to more than 100 countries since its origin in 1961 in Indonesia. Travellers from developed countries travelling to cholera endemic areas are at higher risk of getting cholera. Oral rehydration therapy (ORT) has revolutionized the treatment of cholera and causes reduction of mortality. ORT has saved the lives of millions of children all over the world and is considered the single most significant discovery in medicine of the century. Effective oral cholera vaccines have been developed and are being used but not to its full potential to control cholera. Since the disease burden due to cholera is huge and we have the tools to combat cholera, particularly reduce mortality, it is imperative that the global communities should embark on cholera control as an urgent priority of human health. Cholera control should be viewed as a poverty alleviation programme for the marginalised population. The current pandemic of COVID-19 overwhelmed the economy and healthcare systems so much so that the health authorities undermined the cholera control measures even during ongoing epidemics of cholera. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reframed the strategy with renewed interest on cholera control with a target of reducing the mortality from cholera by 90 percent by 2030. Member countries should mobilize enough funds for the programme and actively implement it. Improvement of sanitation and safe water for all should continue as long-term solution for combating the menace of cholera.