The agency’s Eastern Mediterranean region reported the highest number of cases, followed by the African region, the Americas region, the Southeast Asia region and the European region.
There were no cases reported in the Western Pacific, the report said bulletin Released Wednesday.
Vaccines and revival
The UN health agency said it had exhausted its global stockpile of oral cholera vaccines (OCV) in March, but that it could “exceed the emergency target of five million doses by early June for the first time in 2024.”
Yet the supply of the vaccine does not equal demand.
WHO reported that since January last year, 16 countries requested 92 million doses of OCV – almost double the 49 million produced at that time.
WHO, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other partners are working together to leverage resources to find long-term solutions to cholera.
Sleeping sickness eliminated in Chad
On the positive side of health news, WHO announced Thursday that Chad has successfully eradicated “sleeping sickness” as a public health problem.
The agency applauded the government and people of Chad for eradicating the gambiense form of human African trypanosomiasis (also known as sleeping sickness).
“I congratulate the government and people of Chad on this achievement. It is great to see Chad join the growing group of countries that have eliminated at least one Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD),” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
Goal within reach
In eradicating the disease, Chad joins about 50 others worldwide who have succeeded in this endeavor.
“The 100-nation target is closer and within reach,” Tedros added, referring to the target set out in the Roadmap for Tackling Neglected Tropical Diseases by 2030.
Sleeping sickness can initially cause flu-like symptoms but eventually lead to behavioral changes, confusion, sleep cycle disruptions or even coma, often leading to death.
Improved access to early diagnosis and treatment, as well as surveillance and response, has proven that countries can control and ultimately eliminate transmission.
