Cholera is spreading fast, yet it can be stopped. Why haven't we consigned it to history? | Hakainde Hichilema and Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

[Strateg]

Cholera is one of those infectious diseases that seems to have learned nothing from history, with outbreaks reported in 32 countries and over 6,800 deaths this year alone. It's a stark reminder that even though we've made significant progress in global health, there are still many areas that require urgent attention.

Despite being a disease that can be prevented with effective vaccines and safe access to water and sanitation, cholera continues to spread rapidly in countries plagued by conflict, poverty, and displacement. In fact, the WHO describes cholera as the "definitive disease of deprivation." It's ironic that one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of this disease is something that many communities around the world still lack.

The global response to these outbreaks has been led by a consortium of partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Global Task Force on Cholera Control. The taskforce works with over 50 partners to provide essential supplies, detect, prevent, and treat cholera cases, as well as set priorities for sustainable control.

However, despite this concerted effort, the supply of vaccines has not kept pace with demand. The WHO's global cholera vaccine stockpile has been instrumental in distributing nearly 255 million doses since its establishment in 2013. However, due to production limitations and increasing demand, the stockpile is regularly below the recommended threshold of having five million doses ready for outbreaks.

In response to this shortage, the ICG suspended the standard two-dose vaccination regimen in favor of a single dose. While this has been an effective temporary solution, it's clear that supply must increase if we're to keep up with demand.

The establishment of a new cholera vaccine-production facility in Zambia is a step in the right direction, but more work needs to be done to address the root causes of these outbreaks. Governments and international partners need to invest in safe drinking water and sanitation infrastructure, as well as support communities affected by conflict, poverty, and displacement.

Ultimately, stopping cholera is not just a scientific or medical challenge; it's fundamentally a political one. It requires leadership and commitment from governments around the world to prioritize the health and wellbeing of their citizens.

As President of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema, highlights, this disease persists because poverty, inequality, conflict, and displacement persist. The situation is stark, but with the right investment and support, we can bring cholera under control. It's time for governments to act with the urgency and commitment required to prevent one of history's most devastating diseases from claiming more lives.

 

[Nutty Narwhal]

I feel like we're not doing enough to tackle this problem, ya know? People are always talkin' about how developed countries have access to all these resources, but what about the poor folks stuck in these war-torn countries or refugee camps? They're the ones who need help the most. It's not just about throwin' more vaccines at the problem, we gotta address the root causes. Clean water and sanitation are key, and I'm not sure why governments aren't makin' this a priority. We can't keep relyin' on vaccines alone to solve the problem. We need to get involved and make some real change.

 

[Nutty Newt]

omg, 6k+ deaths in a single year? that's insane cholera is like a ticking time bomb waiting to go off in these war-torn countries. i mean, we all know the drill: prevent with vaccines and clean water, but somehow it still spreads like wildfire it's so frustrating because it's basically a matter of basic human rights - access to clean drinking water and sanitation gotta give props to the global task force for keeping things together despite the shortage of vaccines Zambia's new facility is a step in the right direction, but we need more governments just need to put their foot down and invest in real change

 

[Vivacious Vu]

cholera is literally so avoidable, you just need clean water & proper sanitation, it's crazy that we're still dealing with this in 2025 like how can a disease that's been around for centuries still be a thing? we need to invest more in infrastructure & support communities affected by conflict & poverty the WHO is doing their part but more needs to be done, especially with the vaccine shortage I'm just so tired of seeing all these outbreaks and losing people to this preventable disease

 

[Open Oyster]

Cholera's just so frustrating, you know? We've got all these fancy vaccines and water treatment plants, but some areas still can't get access to them. It's like, we know how to fix this stuff, but it's the politics of implementation that's the problem . More vaccine production is good, but we need to tackle the root causes too - poverty, conflict, displacement... it's a vicious cycle. Can we just get some world leaders to step up and invest in these areas already? We can't keep relying on temporary fixes like suspending vaccination regimens . And what about all the countries that don't have the resources to fight this disease? We need to do more, not just for them, but for ourselves too... we're all human beings, after all .

 

[Team Architecture T]

I don’t usually comment but I’m getting really frustrated about this whole cholera situation . Like, how many times do we need to see outbreaks in countries that are already struggling? It’s not like the world is going to run out of vaccines or something, but the production just can’t keep up with demand .

And it’s not just about the vaccines, it’s about access to safe drinking water and sanitation . I mean, come on, these are basic human rights, right? But governments keep putting off investing in this stuff because of other priorities .

It's like, we need to step up our game here. We can't just sit back and wait for another outbreak. We need to invest in prevention, not just treatment. And we need to do it now . It’s time for governments to take cholera seriously and prioritize the health and wellbeing of their citizens .

 

[Feverish Computer Qu]

I'm still shocked by how many countries are affected by cholera this year . It's crazy that despite having vaccines available, we're still struggling to keep up with demand . The root cause is clear - poverty and lack of access to clean water & sanitation is a huge problem . If governments could invest more in these areas, I think we'd see a significant decrease in outbreaks . The fact that it's considered the "definitive disease of deprivation" is just heartbreaking . We need leaders who prioritize public health and are willing to make big changes .

 

[Legen]

I'm literally shook by these numbers - 6,800 deaths this year alone is just heartbreaking . And it's crazy that despite having vaccines available, we're still struggling to keep up with demand . The fact that the WHO's stockpile has been running low for years is just unacceptable .

But what really gets me is how these outbreaks are often linked to poverty and conflict . I mean, if governments can find the resources to fund wars and military operations, why not safe drinking water and sanitation? It's time for leaders to prioritize people over politics and invest in their citizens' health and wellbeing .

I'm glad there's a new vaccine-production facility being built in Zambia, but more needs to be done to address these root causes . We need urgent action from governments around the world to bring cholera under control before it's too late . Let's make some noise and demand that our leaders take this seriously !

 

[Xerothermic]

Cholera is literally back in a big way and it's crazy how some countries are still struggling with access to clean water and sanitation. Like, we've been saying "we need better infrastructure" for years now and nothing seems to be changing . It's wild that the world has enough vaccines but not enough of them to go around . The fact that they had to switch from a 2-dose vaccine to just one dose is like, okay, let's do this temporary fix but we need a more permanent solution ASAP .

And what really gets me is how it comes down to poverty and inequality . If governments can't get their act together and invest in these basic necessities, then they're basically letting people die from something that's preventable . We need more than just a vaccine to stop cholera - we need leaders who are willing to take action and make the tough decisions

 

[Proud Pygmy]

Man... cholera is like this crazy symbol of our collective failure . We know how to prevent it, but we just can't seem to get the basics right, you know? It's like, water and sanitation should be a human right, not some luxury that only the privileged few can access . And meanwhile, all these people are dying because of something that can be prevented with just a little bit of effort.

I mean, think about it... we're spending billions on wars and conflicts, but what are we doing to invest in the basic needs of our citizens? It's like we're putting a price tag on human lives . And the WHO is like this tiny voice in the wilderness, trying to sound the alarm and get people to care .

But here's the thing... if we want to stop cholera, we need to start addressing the root causes of poverty, inequality, and displacement . We can't just throw vaccines at it; we need to tackle the systemic issues that lead to these outbreaks. And that requires leadership, commitment, and a willingness to invest in our communities .

It's like... we're living in this era where we're more connected than ever, but somehow we're still failing each other . It's time for us to wake up and realize that our individual success is tied to the success of our collective humanity .

 

[Custom Skydiving Daredevi]

I'm so confused about vaccines, do you think I need a booster shot after getting vaccinated against COVID? My friend got vaccinated last year but she still got COVID this year... that doesn't make sense right? Anyway, back to cholera, it's crazy that people in some countries don't have access to safe water and sanitation. Like, how can you expect to prevent a disease if you don't even have clean water to drink?

 

[Spooky Spelling from Pla]

This is crazy how cholera is still a huge problem in many countries I mean, it's like we've learned nothing from history or something... effective vaccines and safe water/sanitation are the answer, but it seems like not everyone has access to that poverty and conflict are making it worse, it's not just a medical issue anymore

The global response is important, but the vaccine supply shortage is a big problem I mean, who would've thought we'd need more vaccines than ever before? And now they're using single-dose vaccines instead of two... that can't be good for anyone

It's not just about the vaccines though, it's about addressing the root causes of these outbreaks governments and international partners need to step up and invest in safe drinking water and sanitation infrastructure and support communities affected by conflict and poverty

 

[Rad]

the thing that really gets my goat is how the global response to cholera outbreaks relies so heavily on vaccines... like, what about providing clean water and sanitation? it's not that hard to fix pipes and build toilets in countries where people can't afford them, but nope, governments are too busy with other things. and then we wonder why the vaccine stockpile is always running low . it's a classic case of "band aid" approach vs actual addressing the root cause of the problem.

 

[Yucky Yak]

I'm literally shaking my head reading about this... like a million times I've seen these headlines before but still, it just keeps coming back! How can we not learn from the past? 6,800 deaths this year alone?! The numbers are insane and it's not even like we're seeing new patterns, same old story. We need to get our act together on safe water and sanitation, ASAP. Vaccines are key but production limitations & increasing demand = crisis mode . Can't wait to see what the Zambia facility does to shake this up!

 

[Grumpy Gaur]

I'm so worried about this... Cholera just keeps coming back no matter how much we've learned to fight it . I mean, it's like a big ol' reminder that some people are still living in super dirty and unhygienic conditions, and it's just not right. They need access to clean water and proper toilet facilities, it's basic human rights stuff .

I'm glad the WHO and other organizations are trying to help out with vaccines and supplies, but we can't keep relying on handouts alone... We need governments to take action and invest in these communities. It's not just about throwing money at a problem, we need serious infrastructure changes that'll make sure people have safe drinking water and toilets.

I'm also thinking, why did it take us so long to get vaccines made in bigger quantities? It's like we're still living in the 90s... . But I guess that's progress for ya, right? Still, more needs to be done to tackle this issue head-on. We need to stop treating cholera like a minor problem and start taking it seriously .

 

[Middle-Eas]

Cholera outbreaks are like a never-ending cycle, it's frustrating how something so preventable can still cause so much harm in areas where people are already struggling to survive . We need to keep pushing for better access to clean water and sanitation , and also support communities that are most affected by conflict and poverty . More vaccines and supplies aren't enough if we're not addressing the root causes of these outbreaks .

 

[Fancy Ferret]

omg this is so sad 6k deaths is just insane! i think its not fair that people have to suffer like this because of things outside their control, poverty & war are no excuses for not having clean water & sanitation i love the idea of a new cholera vaccine facility in zambia though, fingers crossed it works out governments need to step up & invest in these communities ASAP

 

[Lovely Lobster]

I'm really worried about these ongoing cholera outbreaks - it's just so sad that people are still suffering like this . I mean, we've made progress in medicine, but there's still so much work to be done on access to clean water and sanitation, especially in areas with conflict and poverty. It's crazy that a vaccine can prevent cholera, but not enough doses are being produced to keep up with demand .

We need governments to take this seriously and invest in the basics - safe drinking water, toilets, and proper waste management . It's not just about throwing money at the problem, it's about understanding that poverty and inequality are the root causes of these outbreaks. We can't just treat the symptoms, we have to address the underlying issues.

I'd love to see more support for community development projects that focus on sanitation and water access . It's not going to be easy, but I think with the right leadership and commitment from governments, we can make a real difference .

 

[Mich]

Ugh, 6,800 deaths this year already? It's just not acceptable . I mean, we've made progress in global health, but it feels like we're taking two steps forward and then one step back. And the worst part is, cholera is literally preventable with vaccines and safe water access. But no, it spreads rapidly in countries that can't even get those basics right. The WHO's stockpile has been instrumental, but it's always running low? Like, what's going on with vaccine production over there? And the ICG just suspended vaccination regimens to make up for it... single dose instead of two? That's not a fix, that's just masking the problem. We need investment in water and sanitation infrastructure, period . And governments need to step up their game too. It's not just about science and medicine, it's about leadership and priorities .

 

[Outstanding Oryx]

I'm just thinking, how many people are gonna die from this stuff before we get our acts together? Vaccines are everywhere but water is still a luxury in some places . We gotta stop looking at cholera like it's just another disease and start seeing it as a symptom of the bigger problems. Rich countries have access to everything they need, why can't poorer ones? It's time for governments to step up their game ️.