Cholera Deaths Increase by 54%

Oral cholera vaccines (OCV) have been used for years to help prevent and control cholera outbreaks. Unfortunately, with limited supply, cholera cases and related deaths are impacting about 33 countries.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Edition #20, from January to late October 2024, a cumulative total of 486,760 cholera and acute watery diarrhea cases and 4,018 deaths were reported from 33 countries across five WHO regions.  

While the number of cases reported in October 2024 was 42% lower than the same period in 2023, the number of deaths increased by 54%, reflecting severe response challenges in outbreak settings.

Cross-border dynamics have made cholera outbreaks increasingly complex.

For example, active cholera transmission is widespread in Haiti but is rare in visitors.

In the U.S., nearly all cholera infections are acquired during international travel. As of November 20224, week #45, six cholera cases were reported to the CDC this year. In 2023, there were 17 cases. 

Since the last WHO report, new cholera outbreaks have been reported in Iraq (571 cases and one death), Lebanon (one case with no death), and South Sudan (49 cases and one death).

The WHO did report some very positive news on November 20, 2024.

In November, record production of Oral Cholera Vaccines (OCV) was achieved, the highest since 2013, driven by new formulations and production methods introduced and prequalified this year. As of late November 2024, the WHO has prequalified Dukoral®, Shanchol™, Euvichol®, and Euvichol-S vaccines.

Despite this progress, the OCV emergency stockpile averaged less than 600,000 doses in October 2024, far below the target of five million doses needed for an effective outbreak response at all times.

This persistent shortage continues to hinder efforts to control cholera outbreaks and respond promptly to the spread of the disease, says the WHO.

In partnership with the Global Task Force on Cholera Control, the U.S. CDC supports the implementation of the OCV component of Ending Cholera, A Global Roadmap to 2030.