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

[Fair Frog]

Cholera: A Crisis of Deprivation, Not Science

In 2024, cholera has claimed over 6,800 lives in 32 countries, surpassing last year's death toll by 50%. The most severe outbreaks are in Africa, where conflict is fueling the spread and hindering control efforts. Despite being considered an ancient disease, with the last outbreak in Britain occurring in 1866, cholera persists due to inadequate leadership responses.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a continental emergency response plan for cholera, which aims to improve detection, prevention, and treatment of the disease. The Global Task Force on Cholera Control has also been instrumental in responding to outbreaks through access to essential supplies and setting global priorities for sustainable control.

Cholera is caused by contaminated food or water, highlighting the importance of safe drinking water and sanitation. However, these basic necessities are often lacking in communities plagued by poverty, conflict, displacement, and climate-related disasters. Effective vaccines can prevent cholera, but investment in vaccine development lags due to limited market opportunities.

The WHO has a global cholera vaccine stockpile that has distributed over 255 million doses of vaccine since its establishment in 2013. However, production cannot keep up with demand, and the stockpile is regularly below the recommended threshold. The International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision has suspended standard vaccination regimens to stretch supplies further.

Zambia has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with China's Jijia Medical Technology Company to establish a cholera vaccine-production facility in Lusaka. While expanding vaccine production is essential, governments must also prioritize investments in safe drinking water and sanitation to prevent the spread of cholera.

The root cause of the crisis lies not in scientific or medical limitations but in inadequate political responses to poverty, inequality, conflict, and displacement. As Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, notes, "Cholera is not a disease that cannot be stopped; it can be stopped." The challenge lies in mobilizing governments to invest in preventive measures, ensuring equitable access to essential supplies, and sustaining control efforts.

As Hakainde Hichilema, President of Zambia and Control Champion for the Global Task Force on Cholera Control, emphasizes, "Leadership failures are exacerbating the crisis. We need urgent action from governments, donors, and international partners to tackle cholera head-on." It is time to consign cholera to history by addressing its underlying causes through concerted efforts in policy, finance, and infrastructure development.

 

[Inter]

Ugh I just can't believe what's happening with all these outbreaks ... 6,800+ people lost their lives to something that should be easy to prevent - safe water and sanitation ! It's like, we know how to stop cholera, it's not some super complex disease . We need governments and donors to step up their game, invest in prevention and treatment, not just talk about it . And what's with the vaccine production lag? It's crazy that we have a stockpile of over 255 million doses but can't keep up with demand . We need more than just a vaccination strategy to solve this crisis - we need systemic change .

 

[Cute Curlew]

The news about cholera is really concerning . I think it's crazy how many lives are lost due to something that can be easily prevented with safe drinking water and sanitation . It's not the science or medicine itself that's the problem, but rather governments not doing enough to address poverty, inequality, conflict, and displacement .

We need to see more investment in vaccine production and distribution, but it's also super important for countries to prioritize infrastructure development and social services to prevent cholera outbreaks from happening in the first place . It's time for leaders to step up and take action instead of just talking about it . The WHO is doing some great work, but more needs to be done to tackle this crisis .

 

[Golden Penguin Symphony]

lol what a tragedy cholera's getting the best of Africa rn with 50% more deaths than last year! i think we need to step up our game here, ppl need access to clean water & sanitation ASAP, not just vaccines it's like they say, "prevention is better than cure" or in this case, "prevention is way more important than emergency responses"

i mean, the WHO's got a global vaccine stockpile but production can't keep up with demand? that's some serious supply chain issues right there and Zambia's new cholera vaccine facility sounds like a good start but we need more investment in safe drinking water & sanitation, pronto!

it's not just about the science or vaccines, it's about how governments respond to poverty, inequality, conflict, and displacement. like, if we can send troops to fight wars, why can't we mobilize resources to tackle cholera? leadership failures are real, folks, and it's time for urgent action from governments & international partners

 

[Dwarven Aerobics Aren]

I'm really worried about this - 6,800+ lives lost already? It's not like we're running out of vaccines or anything the production just can't keep up with demand. We need to get more investment into safe water and sanitation systems ASAP . Poor countries are getting ripped off by conflict and poverty, it's a total shame. Can't believe leadership failures are making this worse Tedros is right though, cholera can be stopped if we take action. We just need some serious policy changes and funding to make it happen Hakainde's on point too - urgent action needed from all sides let's consign cholera to the past once and for all!

 

[Supre]

this whole thing feels like a symptom of something bigger... poor leadership & gov't apathy towards poverty & inequality is letting these outbreaks spiral outta control

gotta hand it to the WHO, they're trying hard with that vaccine stockpile & emergency response plan but production just can't keep up w/ demand. China's involvement in Zambia might help expand production yet i'm skeptical about sustainability.

safe drinking water & sanitation should be a no-brainer, but we all know how politicized those basics are the WHO's right, though - cholera isn't gonna magically disappear if we don't address its root causes. We need governments to step up their game & invest in preventing these outbreaks

 

[Luigi's Kabuki Coun]

Cholera crisis is like ticking time bomb in Africa, I mean how many more lives gotta be lost b4 we take action? Its not science or medicine that's the problem, its poor governance & inequality. Zambia signing a vaccine facility deal is nice but where's the money for water & sanitation? We need to stop blaming victims & start funding basic human rights like clean drinking water & proper healthcare

 

[Poor Part]

I'm still trying to wrap my head around how a disease that's been around for centuries can cause so much harm in modern times . I mean, we have vaccines, water treatment plants, and all the tech we need to prevent this stuff. But somehow, it always seems to come back when we least expect it.

I think what really gets me is how politics and economics are still a huge factor in this crisis . We're talking about people dying because they don't have access to clean water or basic sanitation facilities. It's like we've forgotten that there are humans living in these communities, not just statistics . We need to start prioritizing investments in infrastructure and social services, rather than just throwing money at vaccines and emergency response plans .

I love the idea of Zambia setting up a vaccine production facility, but let's be real, we can't keep relying on aid from governments and corporations . We need to make sure that communities have control over their own health and wellbeing, not just relying on saviors who are going to drop by once in a while . It's time for us to take responsibility for our actions and start making real change .

 

[Spooky Spelling from Pla]

cholera a major issue here - 6800+ deaths 32 countries & africa hit hard conflict fuelling spread, poor leadership not helping either


safe water sanitation crucial but poverty inequality climate change making it hard for communities to access basics

 vaccine production lagging due to market limitations

zambia china collab on vaccine facility good step forward but govts gotta invest more in preventive measures

[ diagram of cholera spread ]

governments donors int'l partners gotta act fast tackle underlying causes thru policy finance infrastructure development

 

[Average Albatross]

I'm so worried about this crisis . The stats are just mind-blowing - 6,800 lives lost already in 2024, and it's not just the numbers that are alarming, it's the fact that cholera is still a major issue due to poor leadership responses . It's like, we've been dealing with this for centuries, and yet we're still struggling to control outbreaks .

I think what's really needed here is a more holistic approach, not just throwing money at the problem or relying on vaccines alone . We need governments and international partners to invest in safe drinking water and sanitation infrastructure, so that communities can actually prevent the spread of cholera in the first place . It's not rocket science, but it does require some serious commitment and coordination .

And let's be real, the root cause of this crisis is poverty and inequality . If we want to really tackle cholera, we need to address those underlying issues, rather than just treating the symptoms . It's time for a more urgent response from governments, donors, and international partners . We can do better than this

 

[Lively Lion]

this is so crazy that we're still dealing with cholera like 150 years later... i mean, what's the deal? it's not rocket science or anything we just need to make sure everyone has access to safe drinking water and sanitation ‍. and don't even get me started on vaccine development - can't we just invest more in this stuff ? it's not like making a cholera vaccine is going to break the bank or anything . but seriously, what's taking governments so long to step up their game? it's time for some real leadership and investment in preventative measures . if we can do it for polio, why can't we do it for cholera?

 

[Fancy Ferret]

6,800 lives lost to cholera in 2024? That's insane! I mean, it's not like this is a new disease or anything, but it's still a bloody tragedy. The thing that gets me is how these outbreaks are happening in Africa, where conflict and poverty are running rampant. It's all about access to safe drinking water and sanitation, but governments keep neglecting those basic human rights. We need vaccines, yeah, but we also need investment in infrastructure and social programs to prevent this crap from happening in the first place.

I'm not buying the "it's a scientific issue" excuse either. Cholera is preventable with proper leadership and funding. I mean, come on, we've got $100 billion for wars every year and less than 1% of that goes to eradicating diseases like cholera? That's a no-brainer.

We need to start holding governments accountable for their actions (or lack thereof) when it comes to public health. And while the WHO is doing its part, we can't rely solely on them. We need international pressure and coordination to get this done. It's time to take action before more lives are lost.

 

[Mus]

I'm not buying it . The WHO's saying it can be stopped, but what about the vaccine shortage? We're talking millions of doses that need to be produced ASAP, and yet we're still struggling to keep up with demand . What's going on with those production numbers?

And don't even get me started on the root cause . Poverty, inequality, conflict... these are complex issues, but does that really mean governments are failing? Can't they just allocate more funds for safe drinking water and sanitation? It feels like a cop-out to me .

I need some hard data here . Where's the evidence that investing in vaccines is going to fix everything? What about the impact of climate change, displacement, and conflict on cholera spread? Those are the real issues we should be addressing .

And what's with this MOU between Zambia and China ? Are we just going to pawn off our problems on a single country or company? I want to see some transparency here .

 

[Maximum Skate Oper]

omg, 6,800 ppl lost their lives 2 cholera in 2024 thats just insane!! i think the real issue here isnt even about the disease itself but like how governments & rich ppl r more concerned w/ profit than actual peoples lives poverty, conflict, displacement, climate disasters - these r all interlinked & ppl gotta step up 2 address them. vaccine production cant keep up w/ demand rn & safe drinking water & sanitation r basic human rights, yet many communities lack access 2 them

i love dat the global task force on cholera control is pushin 4 policy changes & vaccine investments but we need more than just vaccine doses - we need systemic change! governments & donors gotta prioritize ppl over profits & invest in sustainable solutions, not just band-aid fixes. lets consign cholera 2 history & focus on real changemakers

 

[Spe]

idk why i keep thinkin bout them new pizza places that just opened up downtown anyway back to this cholera thing... 6,800 lives lost already? that's crazy! what if we could just make clean water accessible everywhere? it's like, basic human right, ya know? and vaccination rates are still pretty low in some areas... do you think we'd be better off investin in infrastructure like desalination plants or somethin'

 

[Fiery Fantasy Fortr]

Ugh, the WHO needs to sort out its logistics already . The vaccine stockpile is always low, so I'm not surprised they had to suspend vaccination regimens again. It's just a Band-Aid solution. We need more permanent solutions, like investing in proper water and sanitation systems in these affected countries. And what's with the lack of investment in vaccine development? China's getting all the funding for this new vaccine facility, but where's the money for the communities that really need it? It's not just about science, it's about politics and priorities. We can't just keep treating symptoms without addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality.

 

[Retarded]

it's crazy how a disease that's been around for centuries can still be such a major problem today, especially in countries with already dire poverty and conflict issues... like, we know how to prevent cholera - just make sure everyone has access to clean water and sanitation - it's not rocket science ... why do governments need to step up their game before something even worse happens?

 

[The Castle 1690]

Cholera is like a ticking time bomb waiting to happen. Its not about the science or medicine, its about governments and leaders stepping up their game. I mean, come on, 6,800 deaths in one year? That's a disaster waiting to be contained. The thing is, it's not just about throwing more vaccines at the problem, we need to talk about safe drinking water and sanitation. Like, seriously, can't we make this basic?

And what's with the vaccine stockpile being below threshold all the time? It's like they're playing a game of roulette with people's lives. We need to get production up and ensure equitable access to vaccines. This isn't rocket science, folks!

I'm so done with politics being the last thing that matters in times of crisis. Cholera is a human rights issue at its core. We need leaders who care about people's lives, not just lining their pockets.

 

[Smo]

Cholera's getting worse in Africa because wars & poverty are making it super hard for ppl 2 get clean water & sanitation. We shud prioritize makin safe drinking water & sanitation 4 everyone, not just vaccine production

 

[Grumpy Gaur]

The alarming rate of cholera deaths worldwide, with over 6,800 lives lost in 2024, starkly highlights the inadequacy of current responses to this preventable disease . While vaccines are available, limited market opportunities have hindered investment in vaccine development, leaving us with a stockpile that struggles to keep up with demand. The root cause of this crisis lies not in medical limitations but in inadequate leadership responses to poverty, inequality, conflict, and displacement.

The WHO's emergency response plan is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to ensure equitable access to essential supplies and sustain control efforts. As we continue to distribute vaccines, governments must also prioritize investments in safe drinking water and sanitation . The example of Zambia signing a memorandum with China's Jijia Medical Technology Company to establish a cholera vaccine-production facility is encouraging, but it's time for more countries to follow suit.

Let's not forget that cholera can be stopped . We need urgent action from governments, donors, and international partners to tackle this crisis head-on. It's essential that we consign cholera to history by addressing its underlying causes through concerted efforts in policy, finance, and infrastructure development .