A strained global supply of cholera vaccines has temporarily led to a suspension of the standard two-dose vaccination regimen as cases rises worldwide, using instead a single-dose approach.

Cholera vaccinations are currently in critically short supply. Over two-thirds of the total 36 million doses anticipated to be produced in 2022 have already been shipped for preventive and reactive campaigns and an additional 8 million doses were approved by the International Crisis Group for the second round for emergency vaccination in 4 countries. There is no short-term way to enhance output because vaccine manufacturers are now producing at their full capacity.

It is estimated that between 1 to 4 million people are infected with cholera annually and, according to the WHO, the disease kills up to 143,000 people yearly in the world’s poorest nations where the population have limited access to clean water and have poor sanitation facilities. Current outbreaks are being fought in Haiti, Syria, Lebanon, Nigeria, Malawi, and Ethiopia, among other nations.

Symptoms of Cholera

For those infected with Cholera the symptoms can range from very mild and even asymptomatic, leaving the individual just as a carrier of the disease, to more severe cases where the individual can succumb to the illness through massive fluid loss within 4 to 6 hours unless rapid rehydration and antibiotics are available.

Protection from Cholera

With the news of the cholera vaccine shortage, it is important for those travelling to afflicted areas to familiarise themselves with ways in which to reduce the risk of picking up the disease. As with any disease, a conscious effort to improve overall personal hygiene will be beneficial in reducing the transmission of cholera. Regular washing of hands and sanitisation of environment is encouraged.

However, Cholera is a food and water-borne disease, and so extra caution is advised, as Dr Graham Fry, Founder and Group Medical Director of the Tropical Medical Bureau explains:

Cholera is particularly transmissible through the consumption of dirty water. While the threshold of contaminated water required for Cholera to successfully enter the system is quite high, you are still encouraged to drink bottled pure water as a precaution. But again, some caution must be exercised when purchasing bottles water says Dr Fry.

Travellers to any region affected by Cholera should not worry too much about transmission and be assured that once basic hygienic practice is carried out, their risk of picking up the disease is minimal.

Source: World Health Organization