Haiti among countries reporting increased cases of cholera

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday, listed Haiti among countries that have recorded an increase in cholera cases and deaths.

The WHO, using figures provided by the global cholera statistics for 2023, said over 4,000 people died from the disease last year, a 71 per cent increase compared to 2022. The number of reported cases also increased by 13 per cent. Cholera is an acute intestinal infection spread through contaminated food and water. While it is preventable and easily treatable, communities with limited access to sanitation are most affected.

The WHO said conflict, climate change, inadequate safe water and sanitation, poverty, underdevelopment, and population displacement due to emerging and re-emerging conflicts and disasters from natural hazards all contributed to the rise in cholera outbreaks last year. It said that the geographical distribution of cholera changed significantly from 2022 to 2023, with a 32 per cent decrease in cases reported from the Middle East and Asia, and a 125 per cent increase in Africa.