Cholera Resurgence

GS Paper III Science and Technology

The recent data released by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) has highlighted cholera as a preventable disease.

Cholera

About Cholera

Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease .
- It is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae
It is especially dangerous for people with low immunity, such as malnourished children and those with HIV/AIDS.
Causes and Transmission: Cholera spreads through:
- Eating contaminated food.
- Drinking unsafe water.
- Contact with infected individuals (e.g., shaking hands).
Seasonal Pattern: The disease peaks during hot, humid, and rainy seasons, especially during monsoons (June to September).
Major contributing factors
- Climate Change: Warmer temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns can create favorable conditions for the spread of cholera.
- Conflict: Disasters and conflicts can disrupt water and sanitation infrastructure, making it difficult to prevent the spread of cholera.
- Lack of Access to Clean Water and Sanitation: Inadequate access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities increases the risk of cholera transmission.
- Poverty and Displacement: Poverty and displacement can contribute to poor hygiene and sanitation practices.
  - It makes populations more vulnerable to cholera.

Cholera outbreaks are common in India. To tackle these issues, India has taken various steps.

Total Sanitation Campaign: This campaign was implemented by the national rural health mission.
- It aims to improve sanitation, nutrition, and ensure availability of safe drinking water.
Oral cholera vaccines (OCV): This vaccination drives are conducted in high risk zone to offer immunity during cholera seasons
Village Health and Sanitation Committees: These committees are formed at the local level in which local leaders monitor and ensure availability of clean drinking water and toilets.
Cholera hotspot mapping: India mapped cholera hotspots regions ( 2010 to 2015)to identify the areas of interventions.
- In mapping hotspots, GIS and disease surveillance data are used.

UNICEF and WHO Data:
- 2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water.
- 3.6 billion people don’t have proper sanitation.
- Cholera deaths increased by 17% in 2023 compared to 2022, with 4,000 deaths reported last year.
- 22 countries are facing active cholera outbreaks in 2024.
Geographical Distribution: Cholera cases have decreased in the Middle East and Asia but doubled in Africa.
- It highlights inequities in healthcare access.
Global Initiatives
- Global task force for cholera control: It aims to end cholera by 2030 using multi sectoral interventions.
  - Finding disease hotspots
  - Improve sanitation and water infrastructure

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